Natural antioxidants in tree nuts

Abstract

The levels of natural antioxidants and phytochemicals present in tree nuts are reported. Where possible, the health claims by Food and Drug Administration and European Food Safety Authority and health effects of tree nuts are provided. The content and recommended dietary allowances of nutrient antioxidants (such as vitamins A, C, E, and the mineral selenium) present in various tree nuts are compared. Antioxidant activity and phytochemicals present among tree nuts have been thoroughly reviewed. Research findings from over 65 references, many of which have been published within the last 10 years, have been compiled and reported.

Optimum Conditions for Microwave Assisted Extraction for Recovery of Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidant Capacity from Macadamia (Macadamia tetraphylla) Skin Waste Using Water

“…In addition, Yang [31] reported the flavonoid content of the macadamia kernel was 1.379 mg/g, which was less than 5% of the flavonoids available in the skin of the macadamia, revealing that macadamia skin is the waste, but it is a rich source of phenolic compounds. Furthermore, Alasalvar and Shahidi [30] also reported a FRAP antioxidant value for macadamia kernel was 0.42 mM/100 g or 4.2 µM TE/g, which is also significantly lower than the FRAP values found in macadamia skin in the current study. Therefore, these findings further confirmed that macadamia skin is a rich source of phenolic content and is also a potent source of antioxidants in comparison with its kernel.…”

“…Alasalvar and Shahidi [30] reported that one gram of macadamia kernel contained 1.56 mg of the phenolic compounds, meaning that the level of phenolic compounds in the macadamia skin is significantly higher than that in the kernel. In addition, Yang [31] reported the flavonoid content of the macadamia kernel was 1.379 mg/g, which was less than 5% of the flavonoids available in the skin of the macadamia, revealing that macadamia skin is the waste, but it is a rich source of phenolic compounds.…”

Fat‐soluble bioactives in nuts

“…They are highly nutritious and provide fat-soluble/lipophilic bioactives [MUFA, PUFA, MAGs, DAGs, TAGs, phospholipids, sterol esters, tocols (tocopherols and tocotrienols), phytosterols, phytostanols, terpenoids, sphingolipids, and essential oils, among others] [3,4,[7][8][9][10][11][12]. Nuts also contain health-promoting phytochemicals [5,13], the main health attributes of which are primarily associated with the fatsoluble bioactives. Nuts are now positioned with meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, and eggs in the US Food Guide Pyramid.…”

Sustainable rubbers and rubber additives

“…The synthesized carbon nanodots were then mixed with SBR and found to be generic radical scavengers and thus could be used as an antioxidant. Alasalvar and Shahidi reviewed natural antioxidants as obtained from various tree nuts. Various phytochemicals (catechin, quercetin, cyanidin, etc.)…”