Abstract: Seven different kinds of storage methods for Camellia meriocarpa Hu. seeds were adopted to investigate their effect on the camellia and oil qualities.The oil content of oil camellia seed and acid value,peroxide value,unsaponifiable substance amount of the oil were analyzed once a month during one year.In addition,the moisture content and the yield of nuts of fresh oil camellia seeds were detected at the same frequency.The results showed that after storing for 12 monthes the different storage conditions had no significant effect on the oil content and unsaponifiable substance content,but they affected the acid value and peroxide value significantly.In consideration of the oil qualities,dried oil camellia seeds stored in glass bottle at -18℃ had stable oil content and unsaponifiable substance amount,and the acid value and peroxide value also staied at the lowest level among the samples with the values of 1.46 mg/g and 16.60 mmol/kg after 12 monthes,respectively.

Key words: Camellia meriocarpa Hu., oil content, acid value, peroxide value, unsaponifiable substance