Variations in Physical and Chemical Characteristics of <i>Terminalia catappa</i> Nuts
Indigenous forest foods have great potential to diversify cropping systems and increase food security and the resilience of food systems to climate change. Underutilised indigenous tree nuts in particular can provide health benefits to local communities and improve livelihoods when commercialised. H...
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2025-05-01
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| author | Shahla Hosseini Bai Bruce Randall Repson Gama Basil Gua Doni Keli Kim Jones Brittany Elliott Helen M. Wallace |
| author_facet | Shahla Hosseini Bai Bruce Randall Repson Gama Basil Gua Doni Keli Kim Jones Brittany Elliott Helen M. Wallace |
| author_sort | Shahla Hosseini Bai |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Indigenous forest foods have great potential to diversify cropping systems and increase food security and the resilience of food systems to climate change. Underutilised indigenous tree nuts in particular can provide health benefits to local communities and improve livelihoods when commercialised. However, for many tree nut species, there is little knowledge of important kernel characteristics. Kernel size and oil composition are important factors for commercialisation and health benefits, respectively. We assessed kernel attributes of <i>Terminalia catappa</i> L. (Combretaceae), a traditional forest food in the Pacific, in the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Fiji. We assessed kernel mass and kernel-to-fruit mass ratio, explored the fatty acid profile of oil, and oil stability against oxidation using accelerated ageing at 45 °C for 21 days. The largest kernels were found in the Solomon Islands with an average mass of 1.66 g. Similarly, kernel-to-fruit mass ratios were higher in the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu than in Fiji. <i>Terminalia catappa</i> contained higher concentrations of unsaturated fatty acids than saturated fatty acids. Among the unsaturated fatty acids, oleic acid and linoleic acid were the two most abundant. Kernels incubated at 45 °C exhibited significantly higher hexanal concentrations on day 7 compared to those on day 0 of incubation. This rapid oil oxidation may be associated with high unsaturated fatty acid concentrations in kernels. These findings may have implications for oil shelf life. Our study suggests <i>T. catappa</i> trees from the Solomon Islands exhibit desirable kernel characteristics that make them suitable for selection and commercialization. The commercialization of an underutilised forest food tree like <i>T. catappa</i> will enhance food and nutrition security for local communities. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-62324c94418a4fa88d39a51dcba1e357 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2311-7524 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Horticulturae |
| spelling | doaj-art-62324c94418a4fa88d39a51dcba1e3572025-08-20T03:47:57ZengMDPI AGHorticulturae2311-75242025-05-0111554010.3390/horticulturae11050540Variations in Physical and Chemical Characteristics of <i>Terminalia catappa</i> NutsShahla Hosseini Bai0Bruce Randall1Repson Gama2Basil Gua3Doni Keli4Kim Jones5Brittany Elliott6Helen M. Wallace7School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, Brisbane, QLD 4111, AustraliaSchool of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Nathan, Brisbane, QLD 4111, AustraliaSchool of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD 4558, AustraliaBeg’s Sol Seed Technology and Supplies, Honiara, Solomon IslandsSolfarm Fresh, Honiara, Solomon IslandsCropwatch Independent Laboratories, Wardell, NSW 2477, AustraliaSchool of Biology and Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, AustraliaSchool of Biology and Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4000, AustraliaIndigenous forest foods have great potential to diversify cropping systems and increase food security and the resilience of food systems to climate change. Underutilised indigenous tree nuts in particular can provide health benefits to local communities and improve livelihoods when commercialised. However, for many tree nut species, there is little knowledge of important kernel characteristics. Kernel size and oil composition are important factors for commercialisation and health benefits, respectively. We assessed kernel attributes of <i>Terminalia catappa</i> L. (Combretaceae), a traditional forest food in the Pacific, in the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Fiji. We assessed kernel mass and kernel-to-fruit mass ratio, explored the fatty acid profile of oil, and oil stability against oxidation using accelerated ageing at 45 °C for 21 days. The largest kernels were found in the Solomon Islands with an average mass of 1.66 g. Similarly, kernel-to-fruit mass ratios were higher in the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu than in Fiji. <i>Terminalia catappa</i> contained higher concentrations of unsaturated fatty acids than saturated fatty acids. Among the unsaturated fatty acids, oleic acid and linoleic acid were the two most abundant. Kernels incubated at 45 °C exhibited significantly higher hexanal concentrations on day 7 compared to those on day 0 of incubation. This rapid oil oxidation may be associated with high unsaturated fatty acid concentrations in kernels. These findings may have implications for oil shelf life. Our study suggests <i>T. catappa</i> trees from the Solomon Islands exhibit desirable kernel characteristics that make them suitable for selection and commercialization. The commercialization of an underutilised forest food tree like <i>T. catappa</i> will enhance food and nutrition security for local communities.https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/5/540<i>Terminalia</i>tropical almondcommercialisationtree selectionpost-harvest |
| spellingShingle | Shahla Hosseini Bai Bruce Randall Repson Gama Basil Gua Doni Keli Kim Jones Brittany Elliott Helen M. Wallace Variations in Physical and Chemical Characteristics of <i>Terminalia catappa</i> Nuts Horticulturae <i>Terminalia</i> tropical almond commercialisation tree selection post-harvest |
| title | Variations in Physical and Chemical Characteristics of <i>Terminalia catappa</i> Nuts |
| title_full | Variations in Physical and Chemical Characteristics of <i>Terminalia catappa</i> Nuts |
| title_fullStr | Variations in Physical and Chemical Characteristics of <i>Terminalia catappa</i> Nuts |
| title_full_unstemmed | Variations in Physical and Chemical Characteristics of <i>Terminalia catappa</i> Nuts |
| title_short | Variations in Physical and Chemical Characteristics of <i>Terminalia catappa</i> Nuts |
| title_sort | variations in physical and chemical characteristics of i terminalia catappa i nuts |
| topic | <i>Terminalia</i> tropical almond commercialisation tree selection post-harvest |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/11/5/540 |
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