Effect of roasting on oxidative and tocopherol stability of walnut oil during storage in the dark

The effect of roasting on the oxidative stability of oil from walnut (Juglans sinensis Dode) was investigated by observing changes in the characteristics of oils from unroasted and roasted kernels during storage in the dark at 60°C. Walnut kernels were roasted at 160°C for 15 min prior to oil extraction with the solvent, hexane. Roasting of kernels increased the peroxide value (POV) and conjugated dienoic acid (CDA) value of the oil. The rate of increase in the POV was significantly lower in roasted than in the unroasted walnut oil during storage at 60°C (1.90 vs. 1.06 and 4.45 vs. 3.55 meq/kg/day during induction period (IP) and post‐IP, respectively). Roasting of kernels significantly increased the IP of walnut oil from 0.89 to 3.39 days during storage. The total tocopherol content in roasted walnut oil was lower as compared to that in unroasted one (277.77 vs. 314.88 µg/g). However, the rate of degradation of total tocopherol during storage was lower in roasted walnut oil compared to unroasted one (1.18 vs. 2.17%/day), which showed that the tocopherol retention was higher in roasted walnut oil. These results indicate that roasting of kernels increased the oxidative and tocopherol stability of oil during storage in the dark.