Unveils the metabolic changes in groundnut CO 7 kernels stored under modified atmospheric conditions

Abstract

Storing groundnut kernels is more challenging than storing pods due to increased oxidative damage. Pod storage requires more space and is not cost-effective for long-term storage. Therefore, an attempt was made to store kernels under modified conditions for six months to address these storage issues. An experiment was performed to evaluate the effects of different modified atmospheric storage conditions on the groundnut cultivar CO 7, in both shelled and unshelled forms. Changes in seed quality parameters and metabolic profiles were analyzed during storage at intervals of 30 days and up to 180 days. The kernels stored under nitrogen and vacuum conditions maintained their seed quality traits, including physical, physiological, and biochemical characteristics. GC-MS analysis was performed at the beginning of storage (fresh seeds) and after 180 days (aged seeds). Sixteen metabolic compounds were identified as responsible for seed viability and deterioration, with sucrose being the predominant compound. The sucrose area percentage in fresh seeds was 52.52%, which decreased during aging. At the end of the storage period, the highest sucrose area percentages were found in kernels stored under nitrogen (28.9%) and vacuum (26.95%) conditions. This study concludes that groundnut kernels stored under nitrogen conditions have good storage potential and excel at maintaining seed longevity.