Oxidative Stability in Raw and Roasted Pecans: Chemical, Physical and Sensory Measurements

To develop predictive relationships for sensory responses of crunchiness and rancid aroma and flavor, raw and roasted pecans were stored under two different relative humidities (55 and 65%) up to 8 mo. In response to relative humidity, rancid scores did not differ with either raw or roasted pecans. Rancid scores in raw and roasted pecans during storage most closely paralleled peroxide value and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, respectively. Multiple regression models employing two or three oxidative and chemical measurements led to better prediction of sensory scores. In general, primary oxidative products of triacylglycerols factored into the models for raw pecans while secondary oxidative products of total lipids factored into the models for roasted pecans.