Nutritional composition of raw fresh cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) kernels from different origin.

Abstract

The total dietary fiber, sugar, protein, lipid profile, sodium, and energy contents of 11 raw cashew kernel (Anacardium occidentale L.) samples from India, Brazil, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Mozambique, and Vietnam were determined. Total fat was the major component accounting for 48.3% of the total weight, of which 79.7% were unsaturated FA (fatty acids), 20.1% saturated FA, and 0.2% trans FA. Proteins, with 21.3g/100g, were ranked second followed by carbohydrates (20.5g/100g). The average sodium content was 144mg/kg. Fourteen FA were identified among which oleic acid was the most abundant with a contribution of 60.7% to the total fat, followed by linoleic (17.77%), palmitic (10.2%), and stearic (8.93%) acids. The mean energy content was 2525kJ/100g. Furthermore, the sterol profile and content, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals of four raw cashew kernel samples from Brazil, India, Ivory Coast, and Vietnam were determined. β-Sitosterol with 2380±4mg/kg fat was the most occurring sterol. Glutamic acid, with 4.60g/100g, was the amino acid with highest presence, whereas tryptophan with 0.32g/100g was the one with lower presence. Vitamin E with an average contribution of 5.80mg/100g was the most abundant vitamin. Potassium with a mean value of 6225mg/kg was the mineral with highest amount in cashew samples.