Variety identification and safety analysis of walnut

Abstract

Walnuts in the world are valued for their nutritional and medicinal properties, with Ukraine having significant natural advantages over other countries for the high-yielding and export of walnuts. Quality identification and safety assessment in accordance with European requirements is a promising area of research. The purpose of the article is to carry out varietal identification of walnuts grown in Poltava region and to assess compliance with European safety requirements. Standard organoleptic, physical, chemical and microbiological methods were used. Walnut varieties grown in Poltava region were identified and the European Union’s requirements for quality and safety were determined. The investigated walnuts, with varietal identification, are classified as varieties with thin, light-colored shell, of medium size, with a fairly high kernel yield, with an average kernel yield of 45,6 %. In the samples tested, the oil content ranged from 64,9 (Yarovsky variety) to 69,2 % (the Carpathian variety), and the average protein content was 16,8 %. Studies have established an average content of minerals for the studied varieties at the level of about 2 %, the presence of aflatoxin B1 was not detected, and the content of toxic elements and pesticides did not exceed the established standards. Walnut varieties grown and sold in Poltava region have been identified. Walnuts of native varieties are characterized by high quality, organoleptic properties, meet safety parameters and can be recommended for sale as products of Ukrainian origin exported to EU countries.