Planta Med 2019; 85(11/12): 840-855
DOI: 10.1055/a-0947-5725
Biological and Pharmacological Activity
Reviews
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Plant Specialized Metabolites in Hazelnut (Corylus avellana) Kernel and Byproducts: An Update on Chemistry, Biological Activity, and Analytical Aspects[]

Authors

  • Alfredo Bottone

    Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Fisciano (SA), Italy
  • Antonietta Cerulli

    Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Fisciano (SA), Italy
  • Gilda DʼUrso

    Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Fisciano (SA), Italy
  • Milena Masullo

    Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Fisciano (SA), Italy
  • Paola Montoro

    Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Fisciano (SA), Italy
  • Assunta Napolitano

    Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Fisciano (SA), Italy
  • Sonia Piacente

    Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Fisciano (SA), Italy
Further Information

Publication History

received 14 February 2019
revised 28 May 2019

accepted 02 June 2019

Publication Date:
27 June 2019 (online)

Abstract

Corylus avellana (hazelnut) is one of the most popular tree nuts on a worldwide basis. The main products of C. avellana are kernels, a nutritious food, with a high content of healthy lipids, contained in a hard shell. In recent years, along with the ongoing research carried out on hazelnut kernels, a growing interest has been addressed to the hazelnut byproducts including hazelnut skin, hazelnut hard shell, and hazelnut green leafy cover as well as hazelnut tree leaf. These byproducts deriving from the roasting, cracking, shelling/hulling, and harvesting processes have been found as a source of “phytochemicals” with biological activity. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive and critical update on the chemistry and biological activity of specialized metabolites occurring in hazelnut kernels and byproducts. Phenolics are the most abundant phytochemicals not only in the kernels, but also in other processing byproducts. Attention has been also devoted to taxane derivatives isolated from C. avellana leaves. An overview on the biological activity, mainly antioxidant, antiproliferative, and antimicrobial along with less common biological effects, has been provided, contributing to highlight C. avellana as a source of bioactive phytochemicals with the potential to exert beneficial effects on human health. Finally, analytical techniques for the quali-quantitative analysis of specialized metabolites occurring in the different parts of C. avellana have been reviewed.

1 Dedicated to Professor Dr. Cosimo Pizza 70th birthday in recognition of his outstanding contribution to natural product research