Abstract: Walnut is one of the world, s four major nuts. Its kernel has high nutritional and economic value. The fat content of walnut is higher than 60%, resulting in easy oxidative rancidity during storage. Here we review the recent research progress in the mechanism of oxidative rancidity in walnut and affecting factors such as temperature, relative humidity, oxygen, light, water content. Meanwhile, measures for delaying oxidative rancidity in walnut are put forward with the aim of providing theoretical references for large-scale storage of walnut.

Key words: walnut kernel, rancidity, factors, strategy for delaying rancidity