Investigating the Effects of Storage Time on Fats, Carbohydrates, Proteins, Taste, Color, and Texture Attributes of Roasted Pistachios by Two Fixed and Rotary Methods

Abstract

Roasted pistachios are among the most delicious nuts in the world. In addition to their pleasant taste, they have significant nutritional and antioxidant effects. This study aims to evaluate the nutritional, sensory, color, and texture attributes of roasted pistachio nuts using fixed and rotary methods at 160 °C during three storage times of 0, 3, and 6 months, at the ambient temperature (20±2°C). The results showed that the moisture percentage of the samples decreased and increased after the roasting process and during the 6-month period of storage, respectively. The available fat percentage of the samples showed no significant change after roasting and storage. The protein content of the roasted samples declined because of the Maillard reaction. Although carbohydrates are less sensitive to temperature than proteins, after the roasting process, the sugar and starch content of the pistachio nuts decreased. Due to the thermal process, the texture was more fragile, and the hardness of the samples decreased. Because of the caramelization and browning reactions that happened during the roasting process, the color of the samples turned dark and less green. These changes intensified after the 6 months of storage. According to the results, quality changes were not significant in the two methods of roasting and storage (p≤ 0.05). Also the temperature and storage time had no specific destructive effect on the nutritional, sensory, color and texture properties of roasted pistachios. Therefore, the use of these two methods of roasting at 160℃ for 15 minutes is recommended.