Evaluation of Quality of Raw Cashew ( Anacardium occidentale , L) Nut from Major Cashew Producing Areas of Nigeria

Abstract

This study evaluate the quality of raw cashew nut (RCN) from some major Cashew producing areas of Nigeria. Raw cashew nut samples were collected from the farmers/ Local Buying agents (LBA) in three towns each in three States; Kogi, Osun, and Oyo states. Raw cashew nut qualities were evaluated using the Out-turn (OT) method. Determinations were made in triplicates; Means were separated using Duncan multiple range test and Significance was accepted at 0.05 level of probability. Also, Two-tailed correlation analysis of the quality parameters was done and significance was accepted at 0.01 and 0.05. Nut count, Moisture content, Good kernels, Total useful kernel and Out-turn quality of RCN from the three states were significantly different (p > 0.05) from each other. However, RCN samples from different towns/villages within each state were not significantly different (p < 0.05) from one another. The good kernel, total useful kernel and Out-turn quality of RCN from Oyo state were significantly higher than those from Kwara state which were significantly higher than those from Kogi state. High Nut count with high moisture content gave low total useful kernel and low Out-turn quality as was the case of RCN from Kogi State, this shown the importance of adequate drying of the RCN after harvesting. RCN of moisture content lower than 12% gave high total useful kernel and high Out-turn quality. Correlation analysis revealed that, OT quality was positively correlated to good kernel and total useful kernels at 0.01 significance, while OT was negatively correlated to Nut count, Moisture content and bad kernel at 0.01, 0.01 and 0.05 significance respectively.