Journal of Nuts
Volume:12 Issue: 3, Summer 2021

Nuts are consumed worldwide and have valuable nutritional compositions. However, few studies exist about the consumers’ knowledge regarding nuts and similar dried fruits. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge on nuts composition (KNC) and health effects (KNHE) associated with nuts consumption and evaluate eating habits and preferences. A questionnaire survey was applied by direct interview to 300 Portuguese citizens, recruited by convenience. Anthropometric properties, behavioural and health aspects, knowledge about nuts composition and health effects, and consumption habits and preferences were evaluated and statistically analysed. Globally, the participants were not well informed on the chemical composition of nuts and about their effects on human health. Regarding age, the middle-aged adults showed a little higher level of KNC. However, no statistical differences were observed for KNC and KNHE across groups of Body Mass Index, physical exercise practice or balanced diet. Concerning eating habits and preferences, most participants (84%) like nuts, and usually consume them (58%). Among different nuts, the most consumed ones were peanuts and walnuts, followed by almonds and hazelnuts. A vast majority of participants (86%) preferred to eat the nuts in their simple form and consume them between meals. In conclusion, improvement of communication on nuts benefits to human health might be a way to increase their consumption. Our data can also help the nut industries to formulate a better strategy.

The development of hazelnut processing industries is one of the major challenges of hazelnut production in Guilan province, Iran. Hence, the factors influencing the development of these industries in this province were explored by the Delphi technique in three rounds. After consultation with academic teachers and researchers of relevant research institutes, 31 experts were selected as the research panel members from Agriculture Jihad Organization and the affiliates of Hazelnut Research Institute in Guilan province. The results demonstrated that "specifically supporting large-scale and pioneer orchard owners to establish hazelnut processing industries", "establishing wholesale purchase centers of hazelnut in the context of agricultural production cooperatives", and "training agriculture processing industry experts of the province by dispatching them to countries pioneering in hazelnut processing industries" were the most prominent driving factors of the development of hazelnut processing industries in Guilan province as agreed upon by 98.81%, 96.68%, and 93.74% of the panel members, respectively. in addition, "inappropriate crop insurance coverage of hazelnut production" with an agreement rate of 95.55%, "the lack of a regional macro-plan for the development of agriculture processing industries in the province" with an agreement rate of 94.74%, "fluctuations in hazelnut market price and neglect in official monitoring of price balance in the market by the government", and "the lack of agricultural production cooperatives in the region and the weak cooperative culture " with agreement rates of 92.32% were found to be the main inhibiting factors of the establishment and development of hazelnut processing in the region.

Arsenic (As) is a natural occurring element which poses a potential risk to groundwater quality, as well as food safety through As transportation in soil-water-plant systems. The present study investigated the level of As contamination in water, soil, and pistachio plants (leaves and seeds) in 7 regions of Kerman province, as one of the most important pistachio cultivation regions in Iran. The results revealed that the concentration in the soil of the sampled areas varied from 15 to 1200 mg/kg The highest As concentrations was observed in the Shahr-e Babak, Bayaz, and Sirjan regions. The As concentration in the water of the sampled areas was between 0.62 and 483 µg/L, and the regions of Sirjan and Shahr-e Babak had the highest levels of arsenic contamination. The highest accumulation of As in pistachio leaves and seeds was observed in the Shahr-e Babak, Bayaz, and Sirjan areas, which had a positive correlation with the As concentration in the soil and water of the area. Thus, the level of As in fresh pistachios in Shahr-e Babak, Sirjan, and Bayaz regions can be considered a threat to the safety of the Iranian population.

The main superiority of taxol production in hazelnuts compared to the yew tree is that hazelnut is broadly accessible, grows much faster in nature, and is easier to establish in the in vitro systems. The aim of this experiment was to improve taxol production and evaluate other characteristics of cell suspension culture treated with 4 concentrations (0, 2, 4, 6 mg L-1) of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs), ultrasonication (30 and 60 seconds) in two sampling times (9 and 18 days after treatment). Interaction of all three factors was significant on fresh weight (FW), protein content, H2O2 generation, and taxol content. The highest fresh and dry weights (DW) and protein content were obtained from non-application treatments of CuO NPs. The content of anthocyanins, proline, antioxidant activity, and catalase and peroxidase enzymes increased with the application of silver nitrate nanoparticles. Comparing means for interaction effects showed that H2O2 and taxol content have nearly similar trend, indicating the stimulation of taxol production pathway by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Ultrasonication (US) enhanced most of the traits studied in this experiment and stimulated the antioxidant system without negatively affecting on cellular growth. The antioxidant response and taxol content evoked by stress treatments i.e. US and CuO NPs is partially relieved by increasing the duration after treatment (the 18th day after treatment).

The economic importance along with the high nutritional value of pistachio has necessitated further research on this agricultural product. Its contamination with various microorganisms causes several problems for the production, consumption and export of pistachio every year. Pistachio as a fatty nut is very susceptible to fungal and bacterial contamination and thereby, its shelf life would be reduced. Peracetic acid is a strong oxidizer which can rapidly remove a wide range of microorganisms and is also environmentally safe. In this research, pistachio seeds were firstly treated with different concentrations (0, 1, 2 and 2.5%) of peracetic acid for 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 and 5 min. Then the growth of fungi and bacteria were evaluated. The results indicated that 2% peracetic acid for 0.5 min led to 99% reduction in contaminating microflora . In the next step, the most common microflora contaminating pistachio seeds were detected and exposed to different concentrations of peracetic acid for 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 and 5 min. The results showed that 1% peracetic acid for 0.5 min inhibited the growth of the dominant microflora more than 99%. Peracetic acid treatment in the tested range had no significant effect on lipid content but reduced peroxide value. Therefore, disinfection of pistachio product with a concentration of 1-2% peracetic acid in the washing basins of pistachio processing terminals may be  an applicable approach to inhibit their microbial (bacteria and fungi) contamination up to 99% and improve their quality before introducing to the market. However, this idea requires further field research.

The study assessed the actors along the Cashew value chain and their influence in making the income derived from cashew sustainable. Primary data for the study were collected from 210 actors using a structured questionnaire. The gross margin and the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) were used to determine the revenue margin and market competitiveness (concentration) among the various actors along the cashew value chain. The results revealed that most of the actors were male and had between 6-10 years of experience in cashew production. Also, the actors’ resort to loans in financing their operations was an interest rate of 24%. Producers had the lowest net margin on revenue of 16.95%, and they indicated that fluctuation in pricing and bushfires were challenges faced in production. Purchasing clerks pointed out that inadequate storage facilities and the high cost of transportation were their challenges. Moreover, processors indicated that lack of government support, high interest on loans, and low demand for processed cashew nuts were their challenges. According to cashew nuts exporters, their significant challenges are high cost of transport and high cost of storage facilities. Furthermore, the Herfindahl-Hirschman index showed that the cashew industry in the study area was highly concentrated. The study recommended that government efforts should be focused on developing a cashew Development Board to enhance marketing and price regulation.