ISHS Acta Horticulturae 784: II Iberian Congress on Chestnut
CONSERVATION OF NUTS FROM NATIVE PORTUGUESE CHESTNUT CULTIVARS |
| Authors: | C. Nogueira, P. Correia |
| Keywords: | preservation, moisture, water activity, texture, colour |
| Abstract:
Concerning one of the objectives of AGRO 448 Project, conservation of Castanea sativa fruits, some chestnut cultivars from different regions of Portugal were studied. Three cultivars were studied more deeply: Enxerta (Marvão region), Longal (Soutos da Lapa region and Experimental Field of Estação Agrária de Viseu, BL) and Verdeal (Experimental Field of Direcção Regional de Agricultura e Pescas do Centro, BI, Sabugal). Samples of fresh nuts were packaged in piercing plastic bags and paper boxes. Chestnuts were conserved in normal conditions and in controlled environment, with temperature of 10°C and 70% moisture. Four parameters were analysed: moisture, water activity (aw), colour (tegument and kernel) and texture. These parameters were determined monthly from November 2005 to March 2006. Enxerta cultivar was the one who presented higher percentage of damaged fruits at the moment of sample receiving, 8%. At the end of conservation period, Longal cultivar from Soutos da Lapa region was the one who presented more percentage of damaged fruits, 28%. Generally, the chestnuts packaged in plastic bags, even for normal and controlled environmental conditions, preserved the initial characteristics for a longer period. For the tested conditions it was observed that the time of chestnut conservation was dependent of the cultivar and the storage conditions. | |
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