Nut Testing
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Note: this service is for Research Use Only and Not intended for clinical use.
Introduction to Nut Testing
Nuts are a variety of seed foods rich in oils such as peanuts, walnuts, cashews, pine nuts, melon seeds, almonds, pistachios, etc. They are generally nutritious and contain high levels of protein, oil, minerals and vitamins, and have excellent effects on human growth and development, physical fitness and disease prevention. According to authoritative research results, eating nuts more than twice a week can reduce the risk of fatal heart disease. Nuts are rich in unsaturated fatty acids, which are beneficial to increase the content of high-density lipoprotein in serum. They have the function of lowering triglycerides in blood, and have certain effects on preventing atherosclerosis, hypertension, coronary heart disease and other diseases. In addition, nuts are a treasure trove of minerals and a good source of magnesium, copper, manganese and selenium. These minerals regulate a variety of physiological functions and are also key elements in the synthesis of antioxidant enzymes in the body. In addition, nuts contain a large amount of antioxidant nutrients such as vitamin E, and proper intake every day can delay aging.
Alfa Chemistry's Advantage in Nut Testing
As a professional and comprehensive third-party testing organization, Alfa Chemistry Testing Lab provides one-stop testing, analysis and technical support services for clients around the world to ensure the quality and safety of nuts, and issues authoritative, scientific, fair and accurate testing reports for our clients.
Samples that can be tested by Alfa Chemistry include:
Hazelnuts
Chestnuts
Acorns
Almonds
Pecans
Pistachios
Walnuts
Peanuts
Brazil nuts
etc.
Alfa Chemistry's testing services for nuts include:
| Services | Testing Items |
|---|---|
| Nutrient content | Total sugar, reducing sugar, glucose, maltose, sucrose, fructose, lactose, etc. |
| Physical and chemical analysis | Moisture, acid value, amino acid nitrogen, nitrate, etc. |
| Mycotoxins | Aflatoxin B1, etc. |
| Microorganism | Coliform, pathogenic bacteria, etc. |
| Heavy metal | Lead, total arsenic, aluminum, tin, etc. |
| Food additive | Amaranth, bright blue, temptation red, carmine, sunset yellow, lemon yellow, preservative, sorbic acid, nitrite, sodium saccharin, acesulfame potassium (acesulfame), sodium cyclamate (sweet honey) , benzoic acid, etc. |
| Illegal addition | Illegal addition, etc. |
| Pesticide residue | Dichlorvos, chlorpyrifos, methamidophos, DDT, hexachlorocyclohexane, organochlorine pesticides, permethrin, ethion, dimethoate, carbendazim, carbaryl, anthracene sulfoxide, annihilation desulfone, aldicarb, acephate, etc. |
Techniques for nut testing
Texture Analyzer
Texture analyzer is an instrument that combines high precision and high stability. Using advanced mechanical sensing technology and data processing algorithms, it can comprehensively evaluate key indicators such as hardness, viscosity, and elasticity of food samples. In the texture evaluation of mixed nuts, the texture analyzer can accurately measure the chewiness of various nut components, providing reliable data support for manufacturers.
Mycotoxin Analyzer
Mycotoxin analyzer can quickly detect various mycotoxins such as aflatoxin, T2 toxin, and vomitoxin in foods like grains, animal feed, cereals, edible oils, condiments, wheat, corn, soybeans, rice, and rice.
Peroxide Value Detector
Peroxide value detector can quickly detect the peroxide value content in edible oils (soybean oil, sesame oil, peanut oil, corn oil, etc.) and nuts, which is suitable for the identification and testing of nut quality.
Industry articles
Determination of Serotonin in Nuts and Nut-Containing Products by Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Yılmaz, C., Taş, N. G., Kocadağlı, T., & Gökmen, V. (2019). Food chemistry, 272, 347-353.
Serotonin, also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine, is a neurotransmitter derived from the serotonin pathway of tryptophan. Decreased serotonin levels or insufficient synthesis may lead to various diseases, including depression, obesity, and schizophrenia. Serotonin is not only present in the human body but also exists in different parts of plants, such as leaves, roots, flowers, fruits, and seeds.
Therefore, it is crucial to perform a reliable analysis of serotonin in nuts and nut-containing products. The complex oily matrix of nuts and nut-containing products may be one of the main challenges for extraction and analysis. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) can be used to accurately quantify serotonin in various raw and roasted nuts.
Determination of Mycotoxins in Nuts by UHPLC-MS/MS
Hidalgo-Ruiz, Jose L., et al. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis 82 (2019): 103228.
The Mediterranean diet is associated with many health benefits. One of the main components of the Mediterranean diet is nuts. However, nuts may also contain toxic compounds such as mycotoxins, including aflatoxins related to liver cancer. These substances are secondary metabolites produced by fungi during their growth, particularly Aspergillus and Fusarium species. Aspergillus species mainly produce aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2, while Fusarium species produce zearalenone (ZEA) and one of its metabolites, α-zearalenol (α-ZOL).
The European Commission has set limits for total aflatoxins and aflatoxin B1 in peanuts and tree nuts. If peanuts and tree nuts are sorted or physically treated before being placed on the market for direct human consumption, the limits for total aflatoxins are 15 and 10 μg kg-1, respectively, and for aflatoxin B1 are 8 and 5 μg kg-1, respectively. If peanuts and tree nuts are directly for human consumption, the limits for total aflatoxins and aflatoxin B1 are 4 and 2 μg kg-1, respectively. On the other hand, there are currently no legislative limits for zearalenone in peanuts or tree nuts.
A very rapid QuEChERS method combined with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) has been used to determine aflatoxins, zearalenone, and α-zearalenol in nuts.
Determination of Multiple Mycotoxins in Edible Nuts and Seeds
Arroyo-Manzanares, N., Huertas-Pérez, J. F., Gámiz-Gracia, L., & García-Campaña, A. M. (2013). Talanta, 115, 61-67.
Nuts and seeds are susceptible to fungal growth, leading to mycotoxin contamination. In recent years, many studies have shown significant mycotoxin and fungal contamination in these matrices. The large number of alerts reported in the annual report of the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) reflects this fact.
A rapid, sensitive, and straightforward approach utilizing ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) has been created for the identification of 14 mycotoxins present in a variety of nuts and seeds, such as almonds, peanuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, macadamia nuts, pistachios, hazelnuts, and pine nuts. The sample preparation includes a first step based on the QuEChERS procedure, for the determination of aflatoxin B1, aflatoxin B2, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone-X, T-2 and HT-2 toxins, ochratoxin, sterigmatocystin, zearalenone, and ochratoxin A.
Nuts testing guidance, standards and specifications
FDA
USDA
Other
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