Mediterranean pine nuts are recognized for their high nutritional value and healthy benefits. The aim of the study was to analyze the composition of pine nuts harvested from Pinus pinea L. across three different geographic macrozones in Chile. Proximate analysis, minerals, fatty acid composition, phytosterols, tocopherols, vitamin C, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant capacity were determined. The major component was fat (422.5±3.3-469.2±0.7 g/kg), followed by protein (320.0±1.4-352.5±1.0 g/kg). The predominant phytosterol was β-sitosterol (average 18,177.7±763.8 µg/kg oil), and the main vitamin E isomer was γ-tocopherol (average 1071.1±109.8 µg/kg oil). Phenolics reached an average of 0.34±0.05 mg gallic acid equivalents/g. Vitamin C and ORAC exhibited an average of 27.7±1.4 mg/kg and 8.54+0.03 µmol Trolox equivalents/g, respectively. Linoleic was the most abundant fatty acid, followed by oleic acid. The chemical composition of pine nuts harvested in different macrozones reveals good nutritional properties and potential health benefits. Composición química del piñón de pino (Pinus pinea L.) cultivado en tres macrozonas geográficas de Chile RESUMEN El piñón de pino mediterráneo es reconocido por su elevado valor nutricional y saludable. El objetivo del trabajo fue analizar la composición de piñones de Pinus pinea L. cultivados en tres macrozonas geográficas de Chile. Se realizó análisis proximal, minerales, composición de ácidos grasos, fitoesteroles, tocoferoles, vitamina C, compuestos fenólicos y capacidad antioxidante. El principal componente fue grasa (422.5±3.3 a 469.2±0.7 g/kg), seguida de proteína (320.9±1.4 a 352.5±1.0 g/kg). El fitoesterol predominante fue β-sitosterol (promedio 18,177.7±763.8 µg/kg aceite), y el principal isómero de vitamina E fue γ-tocoferol (promedio 1071.1±109.8 µg/kg aceite). Los polifenoles alcanzaron un promedio de 0.34±0.05 mg GAE/g. La vitamina C y ORAC fueron 27.7 ±1.4 mg/kg y 8.54±0.03 µmol TE/g, respectivamente. El ácido graso más abundante fue el linoleico, seguido del oleico. La composición química de piñones de pino cultivados en diferentes macrozonas chilenas muestra buenas propiedades nutricionales y potenciales beneficios saludables.

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Introduction -Stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) is a species of economic interest for its pine nuts. Despite this market, cones are harvested mostly from natural forests. Advances in semi-intensive or intensive management for cultivating it as a fruit tree have been scarce. Fruit development is characterized by a 3-year cycle since pollination to harvesting, making nutritional and hydric management highly challenging. Materials and methods -We studied the main and interaction effects of fertilization and irrigation on growth and fruiting by a factorial design laid out in an adult stone pine plantation located in central Chile. Results and discussion -Mineral fertilization had an effect one year later on height growth (+23.5% increase) and one-year-old conelet production (+82.3% increase). After two consecutive years of mineral fertilization, significant positive impacts on diameter growth, height growth and one-year-old conelet production were observed. Irrigation enhanced fruiting but did not impact growth significantly. The highest conelet number was observed in the fertilized and irrigated experimental plots. Conclusion -Both cultural practices, applied either individually or combined, are efficient techniques to enhance fruit production of the stone pine.

Pine nut (Pinus pinea L.) is a nutritious, expensive tree nut. During storage, it is exposed to a wide range of environmental deteriorative conditions. This study describes the oxidative stability of pine nuts kept in pouches made of three different packaging materials and stored at three different temperatures. The packaging materials evaluated were low-density polyethylene (LDP), high-density polyethylene (HDP), and high-barrier metallized film (MF). Temperatures evaluated were 4, 20, and 60°C. In addition, a control unpacked sample was also evaluated in identical conditions. The oxidative parameters evaluated were acid value and peroxide value. Data analyses include a shelf-life study and a principal component analysis. The results obtained indicate what the best packaging material at 20°C was MF with a shelf-life of 703 d. At 4°C, the shelf-life of pine nuts stored in HDP was 1148 d. It is concluded that it is fundamental to use an adequate packaging to protect the seeds from environmental conditions that promote deterioration.