Processing effects on tree nut allergens: A review

“Tree nut” is a broad term for classification of nuts that include cashews, almonds, hazelnuts, etc. Reports of mild to adverse immune reactions following the consumption of these nuts has been on a rise in recent years. Currently, about 1.2–2% of the world's population suffer from sensitivity to tree nuts. The only solution is complete abstinence from the allergy causing tree nut which is not feasible in most cases due to issues like cross contamination or their presence in the form of hidden ingredients in processed foods. Various studies have shown that food processing can effectively vary the secondary structures of the allergenic protein which in turn influences their functional properties. But, the impact of these processing methods on tree nuts allergens is mixed. This review gives an update on the recent findings on how conventional and novel processing methods influence the tree nut allergens.     

Evaluation of a new multipurpose centrifugal mechanism for nut process

Post processing and transportation of pistachio have great effects on its food value, physical properties and marketability of this product. Any applicable research for processing of pistachio have direct and indirect effects on developing technology of this industry. In this study, various methods of pistachio and other nut processing in recent years have been investigated and after that, new suitable and multipurpose centrifugal mechanism for nut processing have been presented. The mechanism is able to do hulling, washing and draining, all in one. The machine has been constructed in the laboratory and loaded with pistachio in two treatments and with walnuts in four treatments. In both hulling and draining processes good results are obtained. Time did not play as an important role for hulling process. Bigger nuts with higher inertia like walnuts were hulled better in this system.     

Survey of peanut levels in selected Irish food products bearing peanut allergen advisory labels

Peanut allergy affects up to 2% of consumers and is responsible for the majority of fatalities caused by food-induced anaphylaxis. Peanut-containing products must be clearly labelled. Manufacturers are not legally required to label peanut if its inclusion resulted from unintentional cross contact with foods manufactured in the same facility. However, the use of allergen advisory statements alerting consumers of the potential presence of peanut allergen has increased in recent years. In previous studies, the vast majority of foods with precautionary allergen statements did not contain detectable levels of peanut, but no data are available on Irish food products. Thirty-eight food products bearing peanut/nut allergen-related statements were purchased from multiple locations in the Republic of Ireland and analysed for the presence of peanut. Peanut was detected in at least one lot in 5.3% (2 of 38) of the products tested. The doses of peanut detected ranged from 0.14 mg to 0.52 mg per suggested serving size (0.035–0.13 mg peanut protein). No detectable levels of peanut were found in the products that indicated peanut/nuts as a minor ingredient. Quantitative risk assessment, based on the known distribution of individual threshold doses for peanut, indicates that only a very small percentage of the peanut-allergic population would be likely to experience an allergic reaction to those products while the majority of products with advisory labels appear safe for the peanut-allergic population. Food manufacturers should be encouraged to analyse products manufactured in shared facilities and even on shared equipment with peanuts for peanut residues to determine whether sufficient risk exists to warrant the use of advisory labelling. Although it appears that the majority of food products bearing advisory nut statements are in fact free of peanut contamination, advice to peanut allergy sufferers to avoid said foods should continue in Ireland and therefore in the wider European Union.     

坚果类休闲食品在口腔加工中的感官体验及其评价概述

坚果类休闲食品是以各种坚果、瓜果籽等为原材料,经烘焙、干制、炒制而成,是一类营养丰富且具有独特风味和口感体验的零食,深受消费者的喜爱.本文对坚果类休闲食品的定义、特点、发展现状进行了较为系统的分析,重点阐述坚果类食品的感官与饮食体验及其影响因素和各种评价方法等,以期为坚果类休闲食品的感官体验研究提供新的思路,更好地推进...     

Differences in Oils from Nuts Extracted by Means of Two Pressure Systems

Nuts are nutrient dense foods especially appreciated for the fatty acids composition of the oil fraction and other bioactive compounds, like polyphenols or sterols. Almond, pistachio, and walnut oils were extracted by two pressure systems (hydraulic press and screw press) in order to obtain virgin oils. A comparison of the fatty acids was performed for oils from different sources. Although the main components of oils (fatty acids and sterols) did not vary according to the system used, some differences among the three types of nut oils were found. Almond and pistachio oil samples showed a similar fatty acid profile with a substantial amount of monounsaturated fatty acids, 70 and 61%, respectively. However, the majority proportion in walnut oils was the polyunsaturated fatty acids (60%). The highest total sterol content was presented by pistachio oils (4476 mg/kg). Screw press oils showed higher values of the regulated quality parameters (acidity, peroxide value, K₂₃₂, and K₂₇₀). In the same way, polyphenols and oxidative stability were slightly higher when the nut oils were extracted with a screw press.     

Characterization of plant food allergens: An overview on physicochemical and immunological techniques

Allergy to plant‐derived foods is a highly complex disorder with clinical manifestations ranging from mild oral, gastrointestinal, and cutaneous symptoms to life‐threatening systemic conditions. This heterogeneity in clinical manifestations has been attributed to different properties of allergenic molecules. Based on this fact, symptom elicitors were grouped into class I and pollinosis‐associated class II food allergens, but clear distinction is rather ambiguous. Moreover, mechanisms underlying food sensitization are not fully understood yet, and food allergy management most often relies on patient's compliance to avoid suspected foods. Therefore, recent efforts aim at the investigation of plant food allergies at the molecular level. This review provides an overview on currently available techniques for allergen characterization and discusses their application for investigation of plant food allergens. Data obtained by an array of physicochemical analyses, such as allergen structure, integrity, aggregation, and stability, need to be linked to results from immunological methods at the level of IgE and T‐cell reactivity. Such knowledge allows the development of computational algorithms to predict allergenicity of novel foods being introduced by biotechnological industry. Furthermore, molecular characterization is an indispensable tool for molecule‐based diagnosis and future development of safer patient‐tailored specific immunotherapy in plant food allergy.     

Moisture Dependent Geometric and Mechanical Properties of Wild Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) Nut and Kernel

In this research, wild pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) nuts and kernels were analyzed for selected geometric properties and mechanical behavior under compression loading. The average length, width and thickness arithmetic and geometric mean diameter of wild pistachio nuts at 5.83% w.b. were 13.98, 8.76, 7.25, 9.93, and 9.75 mm, while the corresponding values of kernels at 6.03% w.b. moisture content were 11.07, 5.92, 4.83, 7.21, and 6.88 mm, respectively. As the moisture content of pistachio nut increased from 5.83 to 30.73% w.b., the bulk density, apparent density and terminal velocity were found to increase from 521 to 543 kgm^?3, 809 to 829 kgm^?3, and 5.51 to 6.29 ms^?1, respectively, whereas porosity decreased from 35.14% to 34.63%. The results revealed that wild pistachio nut required higher rupture force and energy to crack wild pistachio nuts for compression along the L-axis as compared to other two axes.     

European intercomparison on electron spin resonance identification of irradiated foodstuffs

The results of a co-trial organized by the Community Bureau of Reference on the use of Electron Spin Resonance spectroscopy for the identification of irradiated food in 21 laboratories are presented. The trial was qualitative on beef and trout bones, sardine scales, pistachio nut shells, dried grapes, and papaya, and quantitative on poultry bones. There was no difficulty in identifying irradiated meat bones, dried grapes, and papaya. In the case of fish bones there is a need for further kinetic study on different species. Identification of irradiation in pistachio nuts is more complicated and additional research is needed before further trials. All laboratories were able to distinguish between chicken bones irradiated at 1 to 3 kGy or 7 to 10 kGy although there was a partial overlap between the results.     

Why are some proteins allergenic? Implications for biotechnology

In recent years, a number of agricultural crops have been developed with recombinant DNA technology. Because the transferred genes code for proteins that are ordinarily not present in these particular foods, there is concern about the potential allergenicity of these new crop varieties. Foods contain many proteins; however, only a small fraction are allergens. Although the structural properties of proteins that cause allergic reactions have not been characterized completely, known food allergens in general have molecular weights between 10 and 70 kDa, stimulate the immune response (induce the production of allergen‐specific IgE), and are stable molecules that are resistant to processing, cooking, and digestion. Although any type of food is potentially allergenic, the majority of food allergies are caused by a small group of foods (cows’ milk, nuts, legumes, eggs, seafood). Cross‐reactivities occur within a given food group and between foods and seemingly unrelated proteins.

Even though most transgenic foods are considered safe, biotechnological manipulation can affect crop allergenicity. The safety evaluation of transgenic foods is relatively easy when the allergenicity of the gene sources are known. The recombinant food can be assayed using traditional in vitro inhibition assays. Recently, reduced allergen content of biotechnologically altered rice was shown. In contrast, increased allergenicity was demonstrated in transgenic soybeans after a methionine‐ and cystine‐rich protein from Brazil nuts, identified as a major Brazil nut allergen, was expressed in soybean to increase its content of sulfur‐rich amino acids. The most difficult issue regarding transgenic food allergenicity is the effect of transfer of proteins of unknown allergenicity. The challenge is to determine whether these proteins are allergenic as there is no generally accepted, established, definitive procedure to define or predict a protein's allergenicity. Comparing the structures of the transferred protein with known allergens and allergen epitopes could be one approach. Additionally, Th‐2 cell stimulation, the production of IL‐4, and IgE antibody induction in animal models may help to evaluate the potential allergenicity of a protein.

In conclusion, there is no evidence that recombinant proteins in newly developed foods are more allergenic than traditional proteins. The evidence suggests that the vast majority of these proteins will be completely safe for the consumer. The concern is that if a few transgenic foods cause serious allergic reactions, this could undermine the public's confidence in such products. It is essential that proper guidelines are established and tests are developed to assure that this will not occur.     

加州开心果 健康休闲食品的新宠

<正> 随着全球对肥胖趋势的日渐关注,纯天然、健康、不含人工添加剂的休闲食品越来越受到消费者的青睐,开心果就是其中之一。然而,一些消费者对开心果的认识还存在不少误区,如:人们通常认为开心果越白质量越好,其实不然,高质量的开心果的果壳呈浅棕色或奶白色,那些白得发亮的开心果通常经过了漂染     

Barcode High Resolution Melting analysis for forensic uses in nuts: A case study on allergenic hazelnuts (Corylus avellana)

Tree nuts are nutritionally important foods, being rich sources of vitamins, minerals, healthy fats and proteins and having cardio protective effects. Despite their healthy attributes, some tree nuts are also known for triggering adverse immune responses to individuals. Thus, an ongoing challenge in molecular biology is to develop rapid, accurate and reliable techniques to identify organisms and their processed foods, particularly those which could be contaminated with allergenic compounds. Lately, in addition to different chemical and immunological methods used, DNA based methods were also applied for this purpose. We describe here a novel, specific and highly sensitive High Resolution Melting analysis based method, using chloroplast barcoding regions (Bar-HRM) in order to a) obtain barcoding information for the major tree nut species (we have also included peanuts and sesame in our study) and b) to quantitatively identify one such allergenic tree nut species, like hazelnut in processed foods. The results show that the proposed method i) is capable of distinguishing among different tree nut species, ii) can be applied to processed tree nut products such as biscuits and iii) can detect a ratio of 0.01% of hazelnut in biscuits. In conclusion, it is demonstrated that BAR-HRM is suitable for the rapid, closed-tube and accurate screening of large numbers of tree nuts and/or of their processed foods and for the identification of allergenic tree nut species contained in processed foods.     

Effect of gamma irradiation on the physico‐chemical and sensory properties of raw shelled peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) and pistachio nuts (Pistacia vera L.)

Backround The present study evaluated the quality of raw peanuts and pistachio nuts as a function of irradiation dose in order to determine dose levels causing minimal undesirable changes to these products. Physico‐chemical (colour, peroxide value, hexanal content, fatty acid composition, volatile compounds) and sensory (colour, texture, odour, taste) properties of raw peanuts and pistachio nuts were determined after irradiation at doses up to 7 kGy. Results Results showed an eight‐ and seven‐fold increase in peroxide value and a twelve and five‐fold increase in hexanal content after irradiation at a dose of 7 kGy for peanuts and pistachio nuts, respectively. An increase was also observed in saturated fatty acids (20.51–28.28% and 15.24–24.87%) with a parallel decrease in unsaturated fatty acids (79.49–71.72% and 84.76–75.13%) for peanuts and pistachio nuts, respectively. Likewise, volatile compounds such as aldehydes, alkanes, ketones and alcohols comprising secondary oxidation products of peanut and pistachio nut lipids increased after irradiation. Pistachio nut colour parameter a* and to a lesser extent parameters, L* and b* decreased after irradiation leading to a slight but noticeable darkening in product colour while colour parameter L*, b* and a* of raw peanut remained unchanged by irradiation up to 7 kGy. Conclusion Based on sensory evaluation, peanuts and pistachio nuts become unacceptable for consumption when irradiated at doses higher than 3 kGy. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

保健食品中西地那非检测方法的研究进展

枸橼酸西地那非作为一种特异性磷酸二酯酶5型抑制剂, 常被非法应用于保健食品中。由于西地那非毒副作用大及滥用问题突出, 研究其检测方法十分必要。目前已报道的西地那非检测的方法主要有分光光度法、色谱法、光谱法、毛细管电泳以及免疫分析法, 但这些方法各有利弊。本文针对当前保健食品中西地那非检测方法作了综述, 以期为该类食品的安全检测提供方法学思路。     

Effects of Packaging Materials,Modified Atmospheric Conditions,and Storage Temperature on Physicochemical Properties of Roasted Pistachio Nut

Pistachio is one of the most important non-oil export items for Iran and also has the ability to adapt itself to adverse conditions including salinity, moisture stress, soil, and low water irrigation. It is one of the economical crops of desertic and dry areas and is recommended for such places. In this research, the effect of different packaging materials including five layers of compound film, modified polypropylene and metallized plastic, and packaging atmosphere on the quality of roasted pistachio nut were investigated. Atmospheric conditions were N₂/CO₂, vacuum, and ambient air at temperatures of 20 °C and 40 °C. Samples were tested in defined time intervals and then data were statistically analyzed. Results showed that packaging pistachio nut in metallized film and five-layer films with gases N₂/CO₂ and vacuum conditions kept the quality of pistachio better and lengthened shelf-life. A temperature of 40 °C compared to 20 C was a favorable condition for pistachio quality.     

Development of Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) Spread

Pistachio nut (Pistacia vera L.) is one of the most delicious and nutritious nuts in the world. Pistachio spreads were developed using pistachio paste as the main component, icing sugar, soy protein isolate (SPI), and red palm oil (RPO), at different ratios. The highest mean scores of all the sensory attributes were depicted by spreads that were made without addition of SPI. It was found that the work of shear was 0 to 11.0 kg s for an acceptable spread. Sensory spreadability, overall texture, spreadability, and overall acceptability were negatively correlated (R > 0.83) with the work of shear of spreads. The findings indicated that the presence of RPO had a direct effect on the viscoelastic behavior of the pistachio spreads. The a values, which are related to the green color of the pistachio product ranged from 1.7 to 3.9 for spread without addition of RPO, and 4.0 to 5.3 in the presence of RPO. Practical Application The development of pistachio spread would potentially increase the food uses of pistachio and introduce consumers with a healthier snack food.     

Mechanical behavior of pistachio nut and its kernel under compression loading

Some mechanical properties of five varieties of Iranian pistachio nut and its kernel (namely; Akbari, Badami, Kalle-Ghuchi, Momtaz and O’hadi) were determined. These properties include rupture force, deformation and rupture energy. Samples at various moisture contents were compressed along the X-, Y- and Z-axes. The X-axis was considered the loading axis through the length dimension, while the Y-axis was the transverse axis containing the minor dimension (width) at right angles to the X-axis, and Z-axis was assumed the transverse axis containing the minimum dimension (thickness). The results showed that rupture force, deformation and rupture energy values decrease with increasing moisture content. The maximum rupture force, deformation and rupture energy values at all moisture levels as well as for all varieties were obtained for pistachio nut loaded along the X-axis. Compression along the Y-axis required less compressive force among the other two compression axes to extract the kernels.     

MALDI-based identification of stable hazelnut protein derived tryptic marker peptides

Food allergy is an important health problem especially in industrialised countries. Tree nuts, among which are hazelnuts (Corylus avellana), are typically causing serious and life-threatening symptoms in sensitive subjects. Hazelnut is used as a food ingredient in pastry, confectionary products, ice cream and meat products, therefore undeclared hazelnut can be often present as a cross-contaminant representing a threat for allergic consumers. Mass spectrometric techniques are used for the detection of food allergens in processed foods, but limited information regarding stable tryptic peptide markers for hazelnut is available. The aim of this study was to detect stable peptide markers from modified hazelnut protein through the Maillard reaction and oxidation in a buffered solution. Peptides ³⁹⁵Gly-Arg⁴⁰³ from Cor a 11 and ²⁰⁹Gln-Arg²¹⁷, ³⁵¹Ile-Arg³⁶³, ⁴⁶⁴Ala-Arg⁴⁷⁸ and ⁴⁰¹Val-Arg⁴¹⁷ from Cor a 9 hazelnut allergens proved to be the most stable and could be detected and confirmed with high scores in most of the modified samples. The identified peptides can be further used as analytical targets for the development of more robust quantitative methods for hazelnut detection in processed foods.     

Moisture sorption isotherms and isosteric heat for pistachio

The equilibrium moisture contents (EMC) of pistachio were determined using the standard static-gravimetric method at 15, 25, 35 and 40 °C for pistachio powder at 15, 35 °C for pistachio kernel and pistachio nut for water activity (a _w) ranging from 0.11 to 0.9. At a given water activity, the results show that the moisture content decreases with increasing temperature. The experimental sorption curves are then described by the BET, GAB, Henderson, Oswin, Smith and Halsey models. A nonlinear regression analysis method was used to evaluate the constants of the sorption equations. The Smith model was found to be suitable for describing the sorption curves. The isosteric heat of adsorption of water was determined as a function of moisture content from the equilibrium data at different temperatures using the Clasius–Clapeyron equation.     

Essential oil yield and composition of Pistacia vera ‘Kerman’ fruits,peduncles and leaves grown in California

BACKGROUND: Pistacia vera ‘Kerman’ is the predominant pistachio nut cultivar in the United States (California), the world's second largest producer. Despite several reports on the essential oil (EO) content in the genus Pistacia, data on ‘Kerman’ are limited. The EO content and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions of tree nut orchards are of current interest to researchers investigating insect pests and the potential role of EO and VOCs as semiochemicals. To establish a basis for the VOC output of pistachios, the EO content of fruits, peduncles, and leaves was analyzed. RESULTS: Evaluated plant parts contained limonene as the primary EO component, followed by α‐terpinolene. Peduncles were unique in containing relatively high levels of α‐thujene. The results were reproducible between two different geographical locations. In situ solid phase microextraction (SPME) studies demonstrated the volatile emission was representative of the EO composition. CONCLUSION: This is the first report detailing the content and distribution of EO and the unique limonene‐dominant profile for this Pistacia vera cultivar which may influence pistachio insect pest semiochemical research. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

A breakage index for characterizing in vitro nut fragmentation and predicting human oral fragmentation

Breakage of food influences eating experience and sensory perception. The aims of the study were to identify an appropriate breakage index and to develop an in vitro method for predicting the ease of oral breakage of nuts. Kernels of five types of nuts were fragmented in vitro using a texture analyzer and 12 subjects therefore performed molar bites. In addition, peanuts were differently roasted (over 0, 15, 25, and 35 min) to vary texture within the same nut type. Projected particle areas were determined using imaging. Two Breakage Indices were compared (1) BI-I, the difference, after and before fragmentation, in square root values of ratios between total projected area and volume [Agrawal et al., 1997, Archives of Oral Biology, 42(1), 1–9], and (2) BI-II, the ratio of the total projected area after and before fragmentation. BI-II gives a stronger linear regression than BI-I between in vivo and in vitro index values for different types of nuts; Pearson's r = 0.834 versus 0.499 (12 subjects with all data pooled). Using BI-II, a subject's regression result in fragmentation tests with differently roasted peanuts was as strong as when testing different nut types: Pearson's r = 0.984 versus 0.964. Since the range of the in vitro BI-II values was 5.5 times smaller in the peanut tests, the finding of a similarly strong regression indicates a high sensitivity of BI-II to detect differences in food texture. BI-II is useful for food industry to determine how easily solid foods break down and thereby compare the potential of flavor release between foods during chewing.