The Amazon nut is a naturally organic food, recognized for its role as a functional food in promoting overall nutrition and health. Regular consumption has been linked to the reduction of various diseases, attributed to the high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of certain phytochemicals, particularly Selenium (Se).
This study had three primary objectives:
-Evaluate whether Brazil nut trees with higher fruit production exhibit higher Se content.
-Examine alterations in Brazil nut seeds from the 2021 harvest after one year of storage under diverse controlled conditions.
-Investigate changes in the proximate composition of seeds from the 2022 harvest after pre-drying and field storage.
The average Se content was 143 mg kg-1, ranging from 33 to 544 mg kg-1, with higher values found in nuts from trees with lower fruit production. Seeds stored within their fruit for one year displayed elevated moisture content (21%) and water activity (0.91) compared to those stored in a climate-controlled cold room and laboratory, along with higher carbohydrate levels and lower lipid content, indicating the efficacy of storing seeds in their fruit for maintaining germination viability.
In general, no significant changes were observed in the proximate and nutritional composition of Brazil nuts stored in the pre-drying facility and the local buyer's warehouse. This underscores that these conditions facilitate the preservation of fresh Brazil nuts' quality. These findings can provide valuable support for commercialization, enhancement, and valorization initiatives in the Brazil nut production chain, enhancing its status as a functional and nutraceutical food.
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