Fruits, Seeds and Oil of Brazil Nuts Produced in Mato Grosso State

ABSTRACT Bertholletia excelsa (Brazil nut) is the only representative of the Bertholletia genus, but presents great phenotypic variability. The objective of this study was to characterize the fruits, seeds and crude oil of Brazil nuts from the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Fruit and seeds from adult trees were collected at the municipalities of Alta Floresta, Cotriguaçu, Itaúba and Juína. Physical characteristics, yield and composition of the seeds, as well as crude oil characteristics were evaluated. The fruits produced in Itaúba were the smallest and had the lowest number of seeds, while those from Juína presented larger size and mass. The nuts produced in Itaúba had the lowest mean unit mass and ten-seed mass values. The seeds produced in Juína presented higher lipid content and lower ash content. The selenium content of the nuts was higher in Cotriguaçu. There were no significant differences in fruit peel thickness, yield and protein content of the nuts or characteristics of the crude oil.

摘要：巴西栗（Bertholletia excelsa，又称巴西坚果）是Bertholletia属的唯一代表物种，但具有显著的表型变异（phenotypic variability）。本研究旨在对巴西马托格罗索州产巴西坚果的果实、种子及粗油脂进行特征化分析。研究人员于阿尔塔弗洛雷斯塔、科特里瓜苏、伊陶巴及茹伊纳等市镇采集了成年植株的果实与种子，对种子的物理特性、产量与成分，以及粗油脂的各项指标进行了测定。结果显示，伊陶巴产区的巴西栗果实尺寸最小，所含种子数量最少；茹伊纳产区的果实则尺寸更大、单果质量更高。伊陶巴产区的巴西坚果单粒平均质量及十粒总质量均为最低。茹伊纳产区的巴西栗种子脂质含量更高，灰分含量更低。科特里瓜苏产区的巴西坚果硒含量最高。各产区在果壳厚度、坚果产量与蛋白质含量，以及粗油脂的各项特性上均无显著差异。