Identification of the hazelnut cultivar in raw kernels and in semi-processed and processed products

Abstract

The request for an efficient traceability system able to identify hazelnut cultivars along the entire processing chain is becoming a critical point for avoiding fraudulent practices and safeguarding the interests of growers, food processors and consumers. In this study, DNA was extracted from different hazelnut matrices, including plant material (leaf, kernel and kernel episperm), and processed foods (paste, grain, flour and different types of snacks containing hazelnuts). The efficiency of Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) markers was tested to identify the hazelnut cultivar ‘Tonda Gentile’ in all the supply chain. The analysis at 10 SSR loci was able to verify the presence/absence of the alleles of a declared cultivar contained in these matrices. The SSR analysis of DNA from raw episperm offers the possibility of identifying the mother cultivar and is suggested as an effective way to discover frauds since DNA analysis can be performed on individual kernels. For food matrices containing hazelnuts, the presence of the mother cultivar’s DNA can be assessed based on the identification of its alleles in the sample, although the presence of multiple alleles from the pollenizers makes the interpretation of results more difficult.

Diversity of hazelnut varieties and changes in plant development during introduction in the semi-arid zone

“…The implementation of these plans is greatly facilitated through the search for better adapted varietal resources, the use of biodiversity at both the local and global levels, the clarification of mechanisms for the formation of yields and the implementation of genetically determined advantages of a particular variety (Mehlenbacher & Molnar, 2021;Giulia et al, 2022;Kizilkaya et al, 2022). The latter also allows the creation of plantations including several varieties, which significantly mitigates the risks of changes in climatic conditions over the years and, even with the critical, uncharacteristic adverse changes, the fall in crop yields may be not too catastrophic (Orlandi et al, 2019;Raparelli & Lolletti, 2020;Nepal et al, 2022).…”

Recent Innovations on the Reuse of Almond and Hazelnut By-Products: A Review

“…Traditional cultivation is managed through genetic selection in relation to the capability of adapting to the soil and climatic conditions and the use of plant protection products to protect the crop from diseases and insects that could threaten its development. Eventually, nuts respecting the market's requirements in terms of quantity and quality are obtained [85,86]. Nevertheless, besides the traditional production systems, the organic one is developed, characterised by higher education levels of producers, absence of synthetic fertilisers (replaced by manure) and plant protection products, and low input costs but high investments regarding labour and certification [87].…”

“…Another PGI cultivar is raised, the Tonda di Giffoni cv. The latter is a high-quality product particularly used in the food industry for its technological traits [85].…”

Nutritional value of some hazelnut varieties grown in the Steppe area of Ukraine

“…У ядрах міститься також значна кількість K, Mn, Ca, Mg. Таким чином, фундук вважається цінним продуктом харчування, оскільки його споживання пов'язане з кількома перевагами для здоров'я людини завдяки високим концентраціям біологічно активних сполук, включаючи стероли, токофероли, фенольні кислоти та флавоноли. Фактично споживання фундука корисне для профілактики серцево-судинних захворювань [7,9].…”