Quality Assessment on the Oxidative Stability of Almond Kernels during Extensive Storage Time

The objective of our study is to monitor the oxidative stability of different cultivars of almonds (Australian, American and Iranian) kernels/oil during the 12th month of storage at room temperature. Several physicochemical parameters free fatty acids (FFA), peroxide value (PV), panisidine value (p-AV), total oxidation value (TOTOX), Fourier transforms infrared spectrophotometer (FT-IR) and Gas chromatography Mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were used to check the oxidative stability of almond kernel. According to the results, effects of room temperature in the early stages of oxidation, primary oxidation products remained stable, whereas secondary oxidation product levels continued to rise in the later stages. In general, FFA increased with increasing storage time, the range was observed (0.21-0.97 %), PV (1.31-16.23 meqO2/kg), p-AV (2.21-19.35), TOTOX (4.83-15.81), respectively. During storage at room temperature for up to 12th months, there was no significant shifting of the spectral band in the FT-IR study. The most bounteous fatty acid in the almond oil range was observed oleic acid C18:0 (71.01-79.56 %) followed by linoleic acid C18:2 (13.13–20.65 %), palmitic acid C16:0 (4.86-5.67 %), stearic acid C18:0 (1.20-3.81 %), and palmitoleic acid C16:1(0.21-0.47 %) in all three samples during storage. These results suggest that almond oil during the 12th month of storage keeps its good chemical properties.