Mediterranean Pinus pinea L. nuts from Southern Hemisphere provenances

Abstract

Stone pine nuts, the most expensive dry fruit worldwide, have been characterized mostly for the main producer countries, located in the Northern Hemisphere. A proximate composition analysis of pine nuts harvested from seven areas located in the Southern Hemisphere (Argentina, Australia, Chile and New Zealand) was performed. Pine nuts showed significant differences in dietary fiber and minerals, probably due to the different climate and environmental conditions, confirming the species’ plasticity and adaptability. Australian pine nuts showed a different profile, with the highest values for protein, lipids and ashes, and the lowest for dietary fiber. Studied pine nuts showed values comparable to the ones reported for the species in its native habitat. Results confirmed that high-quality Mediterranean pine nuts might be produced in the areas included in this study, with practical implications for stone pine cropping in non-native habitats and for the later marketing of pine nuts.