Almonds (Prunus amygdalus) represent an important crop in most Mediterranean countries. A new and devastating disease of almond trees in Lebanon was recently reported, characterized by the development of severe witches'-brooms on which no flowers or fruits developed, and leading to tree death within a few years. A phytoplasma was detected in diseased trees by PCR amplification of rRNA operon se...

Nuts provide an interesting nutritional supply. However, their high fatty content makes them unattractive for new consumers demanding “light”, low-fatty foods. Among nuts, almonds have a significant economical importance for the whole Mediterranean area. In the last years, high production and competition among productive zones have hardened the commercialisation of this product. On the other ha...

Consumption of almonds has been shown to be associated with a decreased risk of CHD, which may be related to their fatty acid (FA) composition. However, the effect of almond consumption on the serum FA composition is not known. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated whether almond consumption would alter the serum FA profile and risk of CHD, as calculated using Framingham's 10-year ri...

Almond nuts were exposed to radiation doses of 1, 2 and 3 kGy of gamma irradiation covering the range for insect/pest disinfestations and for microbial load. Fatty acid composition, acidity value, peroxide value, iodine value specification number, TBA value and color of almond oil extracted from un-irradiated and irradiated sample were determined, immediately after irradiation and after 12 mont...

We developed a computer model for simulating the population dynamics of the almond moth, Cadra cautella (Walker). The model incorporates previously published life history data for the almondmothdeveloping on storedpeanuts, Arachis hypogaeaL., including stage-speciÞc immature developmental time and survival and adult longevity and fecundity. The model was modiÞed so that it also could be used to...

We have investigated the effect of almond skin extracts on the production of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). PBMCs were either infected or not by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), with and without prior treatment with almond skin extracts. Production of IL-17 induced by HSV-2 was inhibited by natural skins (NS) treatment. ...

This study was conducted to evaluate the response of almond genotypes to osmotic stress in vitro in order to screen drought tolerance. Explants subjected to polyethyleneglycol osmotic stress (0, 3.5, and 7.0% WV) on the MS medium. Concentrations of photosynthesis pigments, anthocyanins, and carothenoids were significantly reduced under osmotic stress. Under osmotic stress, leaf water content, c...

We have previously reported on the low lipid bioaccessibility from almond seeds during digestion in the upper gastrointestinal tract (GIT). In the present study, we quantified the lipid released during artificial mastication from four almond meals: natural raw almonds (NA), roasted almonds (RA), roasted diced almonds (DA) and almond butter from roasted almonds (AB). Lipid release after masticat...

Oil migration from high oil content almond confections into adjacent chocolate causes changes in product quality. The objective of this study was to quantify the oil migration from almond butter and cream products to dark chocolate. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to monitor spatial and temporal changes of liquid lipid content. A multi-slice spin echo pulse sequence was used to acquir...

The effects of ultra-high-pressure homogenization (UHPH) at 200 MPa, in combination with different inlet temperatures (55 or 75 °C) during storage at 4 °C were studied and compared with pasteurized (90 °C, 90 s) almond beverage. Microbiological analysis of the physical (particle sedimentation and color) and volatile profile of the most relevant compound in almond beverages was performed at days...