Influence of Brazil nut processing on the quality of nuts

Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa H. B. K.) is an important raw material. It constitutes a basic stable of the population living in the Amazon region. Due to high unsaturated lipid content, around 60 to 70% is highly perishable. Moreover, inadequate processing practices result in high broken or damaged nuts. The objective this work was to make a comparative study of the physicochemical properties, mineral contents, lipids, and essential amino acid profiles between intact and highly damaged Brazil nut. All samples were stored in the same conditions. Samples were stored during three months at room temperature. The mineral profile of both samples did not show significant variation in total contents. It resulted, however, in significant loss of unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic and linoleic acid, besides essential amino acid, specially lysine. This fact can imply a reduction in the nutritional and sensory properties of the nut.