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<p>Cashew nuts (<i>Anacardium occidentale</i>&#xa0;L.) are highly nutritious tree nuts rich in proteins, healthy fats, and bioactive compounds. However, they are vulnerable to microbial contamination, especially under suboptimal post-harvest handling conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of microbial infestation on the proximate composition, phytochemical content, and functional potential of cashew nuts sourced from Meghalaya, India. Comparative analysis revealed significant reductions in all measured nutritional parameters in infested (damaged) cashew nuts relative to healthy (undamaged) samples. Moisture content decreased from 1.61 ± 0.11% in healthy nuts to 1.11 ± 0.20% in damaged ones. Similarly, ash content declined from 3.12 ± 0.81% to 2.26 ± 0.20%, fibre from 3.78 ± 0.18% to 1.39 ± 0.20%, fat from 43.32 ± 0.04% to 21.31 ± 0.08%, and protein from 10.96 ± 0.04% to 7.64 ± 0.09%. Carbohydrate levels fell sharply from 12.60 ± 0.09% to 4.83 ± 0.04%. In terms of phytochemicals, phenolic content was reduced from 1.89 ± 0.11% to 1.23 ± 0.33%, and flavonoids from 3.32 ± 0.01% to 2.30 ± 0.08%. These losses were accompanied by diminished antioxidant activity and elevated microbial load in contaminated samples, indicating enzymatic degradation of nutrients and bioactives. Nonetheless, GC-MS analysis of infested nuts revealed a&#xa0;greater diversity of phytochemicals, suggesting microbial transformation of native compounds. Additionally, residual antimicrobial activity against <i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> was observed, highlighting the potential for partial valorization of spoiled nuts. This study underscores the nutritional impact of microbial contamination while presenting opportunities for the biotechnological exploitation of infested cashew nuts and associated microbial communities.</p>

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Microbial Contamination in Cashew Nuts: Impacts On Nutritional Quality and Potential for Biotechnological Valorization

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年8月4日

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  • Sony Kumari,
  • Nahid Nasrin,
  • Rahel Debbarma

摘要

Cashew nuts (Anacardium occidentale L.) are highly nutritious tree nuts rich in proteins, healthy fats, and bioactive compounds. However, they are vulnerable to microbial contamination, especially under suboptimal post-harvest handling conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of microbial infestation on the proximate composition, phytochemical content, and functional potential of cashew nuts sourced from Meghalaya, India. Comparative analysis revealed significant reductions in all measured nutritional parameters in infested (damaged) cashew nuts relative to healthy (undamaged) samples. Moisture content decreased from 1.61 ± 0.11% in healthy nuts to 1.11 ± 0.20% in damaged ones. Similarly, ash content declined from 3.12 ± 0.81% to 2.26 ± 0.20%, fibre from 3.78 ± 0.18% to 1.39 ± 0.20%, fat from 43.32 ± 0.04% to 21.31 ± 0.08%, and protein from 10.96 ± 0.04% to 7.64 ± 0.09%. Carbohydrate levels fell sharply from 12.60 ± 0.09% to 4.83 ± 0.04%. In terms of phytochemicals, phenolic content was reduced from 1.89 ± 0.11% to 1.23 ± 0.33%, and flavonoids from 3.32 ± 0.01% to 2.30 ± 0.08%. These losses were accompanied by diminished antioxidant activity and elevated microbial load in contaminated samples, indicating enzymatic degradation of nutrients and bioactives. Nonetheless, GC-MS analysis of infested nuts revealed a greater diversity of phytochemicals, suggesting microbial transformation of native compounds. Additionally, residual antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was observed, highlighting the potential for partial valorization of spoiled nuts. This study underscores the nutritional impact of microbial contamination while presenting opportunities for the biotechnological exploitation of infested cashew nuts and associated microbial communities.