Preserving Peanut Quality Under Hermetic Storage
Peanuts travel long distances and often remain in storage for extended periods. During that time, quality loss is a persistent concern. Rising free fatty acids, flavour deterioration and mould risks
Arachis hypogaea
Groundnuts / Peanuts
Groundnuts, commonly known as peanuts, are a globally traded, oil-rich commodity where quality preservation is closely tied to food safety. Oxidation, moisture and mold pose constant risks throughout storage and transport.
Peanuts are highly sensitive to lipid oxidation, which leads to rancidity and off-flavors if oxygen is not properly controlled. At the same time, they are among the commodities most vulnerable to mold growth and aflatoxin contamination, particularly during storage and transoceanic transport. Conventional jute or polypropylene bags offer limited protection against moisture migration, condensation and oxygen ingress, increasing the risk of spoilage. Seasonal temperature shifts, especially during winter shipments to the northern hemisphere, further aggravate condensation-related damage. Preserving peanuts safely and consistently requires airtight protection and precise atmospheric control at bulk scale.
Challenges in peanut preservation
High-risk commodity
Peanut preservation is dominated by two critical risks: oxidation and mycotoxin development. High oil content accelerates lipid oxidation, quickly leading to rancidity if oxygen levels are not kept very low. Moisture ingress encourages mold growth, which can result in aflatoxin contamination, a major food safety and regulatory concern worldwide.
Storage and transport conditions often fluctuate, especially during long sea voyages where temperature changes cause condensation inside packaging. Insect infestation adds another layer of complexity, with pests such as moths and beetles capable of surviving conventional treatments. Traditional chemical fumigation presents health, residue and regulatory challenges, making it increasingly unsuitable for modern peanut supply chains.
- Oxidation & rancidity
- Aflatoxin formation
- Condensation damage
- Insect infestation
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The VacQPack solution for peanuts
Controlled safety
VacQPack protects groundnuts using bulk-sized Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) with high-barrier, multi-layer liners that drastically reduce oxygen and moisture transmission. By achieving oxygen levels below 4%, VacQPack slows oxidation and preserves sensory quality, even for roasted peanuts. Controlled use of COâ‚‚ under low pressure enables effective, residue-free insect control across all life stages. The gastight liner prevents condensation during temperature fluctuations, making it ideal for long-distance and seasonal transport. Fully organic and scalable, VacQPack delivers safer storage, extended shelf life and reduced losses for peanuts worldwide.
- Consistent product quality and taste
- Reduced food loss and waste
- Full control over product safety
- Optimized total cost of ownership (TCO)
- Non-chemical, organic treatment
Discover why customers like to work with us
Best practice
Learn how customers across different commodities use VacQPack as a best practice for quality protection. By applying natural MAP, they prevent insects, control moisture, and safeguard product value throughout storage and transport.
Particularly on humid and hot areas, problems like condensation, variation of moisture content, oxidation and in some cases insect infestation, are common on the difficult task of keeping the quality of soybean seeds during storage.
The refrigeration is the conventional technique for preservation, but it requires a great deal of investment on infrastructures and implies significant expenditures on energy. Besides, once the seed leaves the refrigeration mode, gets again vulnerable and enters in a rapid degradation process.
Infisght from our research expert
Marie-José
Research Expert
m.vanlitsenburg@vacqpack.com
Our research Expert Marie-José translates scientific studies into practical MAP insights, helping producers safeguard quality from origin to arrival.
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