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(3) Defects
Nuts are subject to attack by molds, insects, birds, rodents, and other vermin, which may leave harmful or obnoxious
residues or otherwise damage the product material. In-shell and shelled nutmeats showing damage from such sources
as well as from physiological breakdown, such as shriveling or gumminess, should be separated from clean, sound
material before further processing.
Nuts of certain varieties drop free from the husk, but with other varieties, the husk must be removed by hand. Fallen nuts
should be gathered several times during the harvest season as they do not all mature at the same time. Those that drop
early should not be allowed to remain on the ground because they will become discolored and moldy in wet weather.
Defects characteristic of, or limited to, certain types of nuts are discussed below.
a. Almonds [Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb] -- Defects in almonds include brown spot, scabby blight, sculptured
insect damage, and gumminess.
Brown spot is a condition caused by the "sting" (insertion of the mouth parts) of the box elder bug [Leptocoris
trivittatus (Say)] before the nut is harvested. Slightly depressed brown spots, which can be removed by blanching,
appear on the skin or testa of the kernel at the site of the "sting." Sculptured insect damage is a condition caused
by the peach twig borer, Anarsia lineatella Zeller. The larva enters the shell of the almond in the field and remains
after harvesting. It feeds on the surface of the kernel, eating away the testa in irregular or sculptured patterns.
"Scabby blight" of the Jordanolo variety of almond is a hard and woody, ashen-gray or brownish scale growth on
the kernel skin.
Gumminess is associated with injury from an organism such as an insect or from a mechanical source. The exact
cause is not known, and the disease may vary among the different varieties of almonds. Incipient gumminess has
very little effect on the edible quality of almonds, except that it gives them a sweeter taste. The condition is
objectionable when the resinous glaze heavily coats a substantial portion of the kernel.
b. Brazil Nuts (Bertholletia excelsa Humb. & Bonpl.) -- Brazil nuts may be attacked by mold when the pods crack and
expose the nut meat to airborne molds.
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c. Cashew Nuts (Anacardium occidentale L.) -- Cashew nuts have a caustic liquid in the shell which protects the nut
against insect attack. Shelled kernels are susceptible to attack by storage insects and rodents.
d. Chestnuts (Castanea spp.) -- The predominant commercial species is the European chestnut, C. satira Mill. Trees of
the Chinese chestnut, C. mollissima Blume, bear excellent nuts and are more resistant to the fungus which causes
the blight disease than are other species and hybrids. The nuts of both C. mollissima and C. satira are susceptible to
spoilage by mold and decay while they are still on the tree. It is, therefore, important that the nuts be harvested
promptly and regularly as they mature. Nuts may be inoculated with molds and decay organisms sometime before or
at the time of maturity by certain insects that feed on them. Nuts that have become infected or that have been
damaged in their cases by insects are very susceptible to spoilage. Frequent and clean collection of nuts is
especially important if the nuts are likely to be infested with weevils or if the weather is hot and dry.
After harvest, chestnuts are highly perishable because of their high moisture content. Usually, 1 or 2 days of drying
or curing are adequate but more time may be necessary if the air is humid. The nuts should be stored under suitable
conditions of humidity (70% or less) and temperature (30 to 45C) to prevent mold growth. Rancidity, however, is
usually not a problem in stored chestnuts, since the starch nuts contain very little oil.
e. Filberts (Corylus spp.) -- Filberts, also known as hazelnuts, may develop a bitter flavor due to attack by stink bugs
and other plant pests. This bitter flavor is sometimes mistakenly associated with rancidity. Moldy and shriveled nuts
are also serious problems. Field insects which can attack filberts are the hazelnut weevil (Curculio neocorylus
Gibson) and the filbert weevil (C. occidentis (Casey)). Another field pest, the filbertworm (Melissopus latiferreanus
(Walsingham)), may survive and continue development in storage.
Figure V-6
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"Kernel spot" is caused by the feeding of sucking insects on the immature nut. Beneath the dark surface of the
"spot" the meat is white and pithy. The taste of the affected area is decidedly bitter.
g. Pistachio Nuts (Pistacia vera L.) -- Pistachios stored at room temperature are subject to storage insects. In
California, stored pistachios have been found to be infested with the khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium Everts),
and another dermestid beetle, T. variabile Ballion. In Greece, fungi of the genera Phomopsis and Fusarium attack the
nuts secondarily through insect punctures, especially those caused by a moth larva, Tinea pistaciae Anagnos. In
Iran, 25 harmful insects have been reported, including several nut-boring beetles.
h. Walnuts (Juglans spp.) -- Walnuts may turn dark-colored and become rancid. The meats may be affected by the
following diseases and conditions. Bacterial blight causes black spots of various sizes on the nut meat. It also
blackens the hull, shell, and kernel and, in extreme cases, renders the nut worthless. Molds cause the nut meats to
be discolored and moldy. Sunburn causes the nut meats to turn dark.
Field insects which damage English walnuts include the filbertworm [Melissopus latiferreanus (Walsingham)], the
navel orangeworm [Amyelois transitella (Walker)], and the codling moth [Cydia pomonella (L.)]. Codling moth damage
is characterized by black-edged, darkened cavities in the kernel.
a. Sample Preparation -- Separate mixed nuts into individual types for separate examination. Composite 100 nuts,
taking approximately equal amounts from each subsample.
b. Sequential Sampling Plans -- Follow one of the sequential sampling plans given below relative to the applicable
defect action level. To reach the number of nuts given in each step of the sequential plan, select nuts at random.
Each subsample in the sample should contain approximately equal numbers of nuts. Examine at least 100 nuts.
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c. Visual and Organoleptic Examination -- Crack out the kernel, examine, and classify according to classes defined
below in (4)d. Brazil nut kernels should be removed from the shell as completely as possible, cut in two or more
pieces, and the cavity and all surfaces examined for mold and other evidence of decomposition. Kernels suspected
of being rancid or otherwise decomposed should be tasted as necessary to confirm the condition. Separate mixed
nuts into various kinds before examination and report the results for each kind separately. Report only those
categories in which rejects are found. Follow the sequential sampling plan above.
d. Classification of Reject Nuts -- Following the visual and organoleptic examination, classify reject nuts according to
the following categories:
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Subsample No.
1 2 3 etc. Average
No. Examined
No. Insect-Infested
No. Moldy
No. Rancid
No. Blanks
No. Shriveled
No. Dirty
Total % Rejects
(5) Procedure: Determination of Reject Shelled Nuts (Whole, Half Kernels, Large Pieces) and In-Shell Almonds
c. Visual and Organoleptic Examination -- Examine shelled nuts, using the naked eye or up to 10X magnification.
Separate mixed nuts into various kinds before examination and report the results for each kind separately. Classify
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(i) Insect-Damaged -- See (4)d.(i). Count as one-half of an insect-damaged reject any almond kernel showing an
area or aggregate area of brown spot greater than the area of a circle 1/8 in. in diameter. Classify as insect-
damaged any almond showing sculptured insect damage by the peach twig borer affecting 10% or more of the
surface.
(ii) Moldy -- See (4)d.(ii)
(iii) Rancid -- See (4)d.(iii)
(iv) Otherwise Decomposed -- See (4)d.(iv). Classify as "otherwise decomposed due to scabby blight" any
almond kernel which shows a single or combined scabby area exceeding 13 mm. Add the diameters of smaller
areas (each measured at its greatest diameter)
(v) Dirty -- See (4)d.(v)
(vi) Shriveled -- See (4)d.(vii)
(vii) Gumminess -- This is a condition in almonds characterized by a resinous glaze which coats the kernel.
Count a gummy almond as a full reject if the resinous glaze heavily coats more than one-half the kernel surface.
e. Report. Report the results using the table provided in (4)e. Report the number of rejects in each category and the
total number and percentage of rejects. List only those categories in which rejects are found. Add a category for
"Gumminess" if necessary.
References
(1) Gecan, J.S., P.M. Brickey, Jr. and W.V. Eisenberg, "Insect Problems of Pecan Shelling Plants and Their Relation to
Insects and Insect Parts in Processed Pecans," J. Food Sci. 36: 89-92, 1971.
(2) Nut Tree Culture in North America, Ed. by Richard A. Jaynes, Northern Nut Growers Assoc., Hamden, CT, 1979.
(3) Woodruff, J.G., Tree Nuts Production, Processing & Products, Vols. I and II, AVI Publishing Co., Inc., Westport CT,
1967.
Examination of individual peanuts to determine the percent of rejects due to damage by insects, molds, rancidity,
decay and other adhering material
Screening of whole bags of shelled peanuts to determine the presence of insects or other extraneous material.
(3) Defects
The concern about aflatoxins and the research on the causative mold, Aspergillus flavus, in peanuts has resulted in great
improvements in prevention of damage to peanuts from molds, insects, and other causes during harvest, shelling, and
storage. The industry maintains strict controls to eliminate defective peanuts since experience has shown that aflatoxin
is most frequently associated with moldy, discolored, shriveled, insect-damaged, or otherwise damaged peanuts.
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a. Insect Infestation and Damage -- Harvested split or broken pods are susceptible to infestations by insects and
molds during the curing process. After shelling, the kernels are highly susceptible to stored product insect
infestations. Storage conditions which protect against infestation, such as cold storage, and inspection and
fumigation are needed.
b. Moldiness, Rancidity, and Decay -- Peanut pods are seldom attacked by molds in the field except during adverse
weather and growing conditions. After being dug, pods are cured (dried) as rapidly as possible to a safe moisture
level to prevent growth of molds or other microorganisms. This is important, as molds may develop on moist kernels
when temperature changes cause "sweating" or condensation. Rancidity or decay may also affect the kernels. In the
earlier stages of rancidity the kernel may have only a slightly abnormal appearance in the form of an oily or
somewhat translucent condition. This condition is frequently found following freezing injury. In most cases, rancid
and decayed kernels that are decidedly off flavor are easily detected by their appearance.
c. Adhering Material on Peanut Kernels
Figure V-7
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a. Sample Preparation and Visual Examination -- Weigh a representative portion of 100 g from each subsample.
Examine each kernel under good lighting. Peel, split, or cut, as necessary, to determine the extent of any damage
and classify reject nuts according to the applicable categories in 10.A.(4)d. Do not use the sequential sampling plan.
b. Report - Tabulate results as follows:
Subsample No.
1 2 3 etc.
No. Insect-infested
(g)
No. otherwise
decomposed (g)
Remarks:
(6) Procedure: Determination of Extraneous Material in Siftings from Whole Bags of Shelled Peanuts
a. Sample Preparation -- Subsamples as submitted will usually consist of siftings from previously screened large
containers of peanuts (i.e., 50-125 lb bags). If a container of peanuts is submitted, pass a small portion at a time
over a large 1/4 in. mesh shelled peanut sieve*. Collect the siftings.
b. Visual Examination -- Weigh and examine the siftings in good lighting with the naked eye, or with such
magnification as necessary, to confirm findings of whole insects or equivalent, rodent excreta pellets, and other
extraneous material. Note presence of any live insects. If the magnification exceeds 10X this should be stated in the
report of results.
c. Report -- Tabulate results for each subsample according to applicable microscopic categories, using the format of
AOAC 970.66B(i).
* The sieve is made by framing a 2 x 4 ft piece of hot dip, heavy duty galvanized screen with 1/4 x 1/4 in. openings
and 1/16 in. diameter wire. The screen is stapled to the wooden frame and held with molding. The over-all
dimensions of the frame are 44-3/8 x 24-1/2 in. It is made from 1-3/8 x 2-5/8 in. dressed lumber.
C. Method for Microscopic Detection Of Foreign Plant Tissues in Peanut Butter (V-
92)
(1) Scope
This method provides a procedure for detection of foreign plant tissues in peanut butter and peanut butter spreads.
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Peanut butter is a paste made from grinding shelled and skinned roasted peanuts. Some peanut butter "spreads" may
also contain soy or wheat flour.
(3) Defects
Some peanut butter manufacturers may add undeclared foreign plant substances to their products as cheaper
substitutes without declaring such on the label.
If the results of microscopic examination of the defatted peanut butter are not conclusive, digest 2-3 g of the defatted
peanut butter according to the AOAC method for crude fiber. The digestion will concentrate and clear the tissues for
microscopic examination. Sclerenchyma and lignified tissues from foreign food seeds are more readily detected with this
process. Examine several representative slides at 100-400X to determine whether any foreign plant tissues are present. If
detected, identify by comparison with authentic material.
Report any foreign plant tissues as an apparent undeclared ingredient. Identify if possible. Estimate percent of foreign
tissues by microscopic comparison with peanut butter containing known percentages of added authentic material.
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