Hazelnut Kernel Size and Industrial Aptitude

Kernel size is the main hazelnut quality parameter for the consumption market. However, industrial purposes are the main destination for the main hazelnut cultivars. This work aims to identify industrial aptitude relationships to kernel size, and qualitative nut and kernel traits eligible to enhance hazelnut’s commercial value. The qualitative hazelnut traits of cv “Negret” and “Pauetet” were assessed via in-shell and shelled nut sizes for two years. In-shell hazelnuts were tested for weight, shape, percent kernel, yield and shell thickness. Kernels were measured for shape, weight, roasting aptitude, skin color, moisture content and water activity, free acidity, fat content, crude protein, total sugars, minerals, fatty acid composition, α-tocopherol and oil stability. In-shell hazelnut traits significantly differed between cultivars, sizes and storage period. Shell thickness and nut roundness increased almost linearly with nut caliber, whereas kernel percentage decreased. Kernel roundness increased linearly with caliber. The blanching and roasting aptitude of “Negret” increased linearly with caliber, whereas no significant trend was observed for “Pauetet”. Significant differences between cultivars were confirmed for water activity, oil acidity and skin color. Regarding chemical composition, fat content increased linearly with caliber in both cultivars, and α-tocopherol followed the same trend in “Negret”. The sugar content tended to decrease with caliber, whereas crude protein, fiber and minerals did not show any significant relationship with kernel size. Unsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids fitted to linear models related to caliber, showing differences between cultivars. Unsaturated fatty acids increased with caliber, whereas polyunsaturated fatty acids decreased, and the oil stability increased linearly with kernel size. These results show that some hazelnut key traits change significantly with kernel size. The linear models presented could be a powerful tool for the confectionery industry to modulate the industrial value of given hazelnut batches.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Editorial: Recent advances in hazelnut (Corylus spp.)

The European hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) of the genus Corylus is a major species of interest for nutritional use, and its nuts are widely used worldwide in the chocolate, confectionery, and bakery industries. Other Corylus species, including C. americana, C. heterophylla, and C. colurna, are of local interest for commercial uses and provide important genetic resources for breeding. The global production of hazelnut has increased since the beginning of the last century, especially in the last 10 years in response to the demands of the confectionery industry, which processes about 90% of the harvested nuts. Cultivation of this nut has expanded in several traditional countries as well as in new areas, including Chile, South Africa, and Australia. Therefore, this Research Topic devoted to European hazelnut and its related species has been designed with the aim of assembling an effective-knowledge platform based on recent research carried out in the Corylus spp. sector. The Research Topic brings together some of the latest research outputs in hazelnut cultivation, genetic resources, and post-harvest processing, thanks to the excellent response to the call which resulted in the publication of 25 original articles. We found the edition and selection of articles for this book very inspiring and rewarding. We also thank the editorial staff and reviewers for their efforts and help during the process. The scientific contributions are briefly discussed below, grouped into seven sections according to the main topics proposed during the Research Topic launch.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Near-infrared spectroscopy is feasible to discriminate hazelnut cultivars

The study demonstrated the feasibility of the near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy use for hazelnut-cultivar sorting. Hazelnut spectra were acquired from 600 fruit for each cultivar sample, two diffuse reflectance spectra were acquired from opposite sides of the same hazelnut. Spectral data were transformed into absorbance before the computations. A different variety of spectral pretreatments were applied to extract characteristics for the classification. An iterative Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) algorithm was used to select a relatively small set of variables to correctly classify samples. The optimal group of features selected for each test was analyzed using Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA). The spectral region most frequently chosen was the 1980-2060 nm range, which corresponds to best differentiation performance for a total minimum error rate lower than 1.00%. This wavelength range is generally associated with stretching and bending of the N-H functional group of amino acids and proteins. The feasibility of using NIR Spectroscopy to distinguish different hazelnut cultivars was demonstrated

CANNABIS USE AND SUICIDE IN NON-AFFECTIVE PSYCHOSIS: A MINI-REVIEW OF RECENT LITERATURE

Proof of correlation between psychotic spectrum disorders and suicide are found in literature, as well as between cannabis use disorder (CUD) and suicide and between CUD and schizophrenia. The study population of the selected papers consists of subjects diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum or cannabis or SCs induced psychosis. Our objective is to assess how suicide risk (defined as suicidal ideation/attempt or death by suicide) in this population may vary with exposure to cannabis or one of its main active compounds. We searched PubMed, Scopus and Psycinfo database from January 2010 to February 2022. Study designs of the included articles are distributed as follows: 6 cross-sectional studies, 3 cohort studies, 1 case-control studies, 1 randomized double-blind study, 1 case report. Selected cohort studies seem to agree in identifying an increased suicide risk in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders when exposed to cannabis use. The case-control study and selected cross-sectionals provide contradictory data. However, qualitative analysis seem to point toward a positive correlation between cannabis use and increased suicidal risk in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. In conclusion, emerging data on the correlation between cannabis use and suicide risk in patients with schizophrenia or other schizophrenic spectrum disorders are insufficient to draw firm conclusions. Nonetheless these studies seem to suggest a positive correlation of cannabis use with increased suicide risk, particularly regarding first episode psychosis (FEP) and male gender. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of a higher risk of suicidal behavior associated specifically with cannabis use for men and patients during FEP

Changes in kernel chemical composition during nut development of three Italian hazelnut cultivars

This research focused on the variation of the kernel and pellicle (seed coat) constituents during nut growth, from early development to maturity.Material and methods. Nuts of three hazelnut cultivars widely grown in Italy: \u2018Tonda Gentile Romana\u2019, \u2018Tonda di Giffoni\u2019 and \u2018Nocchione\u2019. were randomly sampled weekly, from the same trees, starting from the first week of July 2007 (day of the year: DOY = 186) until the beginning of September (DOY = 249), at harvest time. Oil content increased continuously during the development of the kernel, from 30\u201335 g 100 g 121 dry weight (DW) at the beginning of July, to 61\u201368 g 100 g 121 DW in the first week of September. Total monounsaturated fatty acids were the main group of fatty acids in the oil and oleic acid was the most predominant one, showing slight variations depending on the cultivar and kernel growth stage. Nitrogen content in the kernel decreased continuously during development, from 4.2 g 100 g 121 DW to 2.9 g 100 g 121 DW on average among the cultivars. Soluble sugars, mainly sucrose, showed a wide fluctuation until late July, and the content observed in the mature seed was about 5 g 100 g 121 DW in all cultivars. The organic acids, mainly represented by malic acid, showed a large decrease during the early stages (July), and reached on average a content of about 0.3\u20130.4 g 100 g 121 DW at the mature stage. Starch content for all cultivars was highest at the first sampling date, then decreased rapidly, coinciding with the initial kernel expansion stage. Starch levels then increased to a second peak in early August, then rapidly decreased again, followed by a gradual decline up to the time of nut ripening. The total phenol content was mainly concentrated in the pellicle and showed wide variation during the nut development both in the kernel and pellicle. The complexity of these dynamics can explain the different kernel taste in immature and mature states, and highlights the possibilities of optimizing the orchard management and harvesting time

Leaf Area Estimation Model for Small Fruits from Linear Measurements

Accurate and nondestructive methods to determine individual leaf areas of plants are a useful tool in physiological and agronomic research. Determining the individual leaf area (LA) of small fruit like raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.), redcurrant (Ribes rubrum L.), blackberry (Rubus fruticosus L.), gooseberry (Ribes grossularia L.), and highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) involves measurements of leaf parameters such as length (L) and width (W) or some combinations of these parameters. A 2-year investigation was carried out during 2006 (on seven raspberry, seven redcurrant, six blackberry, five gooseberry, and two highbush blueberry cultivars) and 2007 (on one cultivar per species) under open field conditions to test whether a model could be developed to estimate LA of small fruits across cultivars. Regression analysis of LA versus L and W revealed several models that could be used for estimating the area of individual small fruit leaves. A linear model having LW as the independent variable provided the most accurate estimate (highest R 2, smallest mean square error, and the smallest predicted residual error sum of squares) of LA in all small fruit berries. Validation of the model having LW of leaves measured in the 2007 experiment coming from other cultivars of small fruit berries showed that the correlation between calculated and measured small fruit berries LAs was very high. Therefore, these models can estimate accurately and in large quantities the LA of small fruit plants in many experimental comparisons without the use of any expensive instruments

Examination of modern and traditional applications in hazelnut production

Hazelnut production in Turkey, which is carried out in a land area of approximately 700 thousand ha and yields ~600 thousand t year-1 of in shell nuts, makes up about 70% of the world’s hazelnut production. Turkey is followed by Italy, Georgia, USA, Azerbaijan, China, Iran, Spain, respectively, in terms of major hazelnut producing countries. Italy is the second largest hazelnut producing country with a production area of 70 thousand ha. Its share of world production is approximately 10%. Spain is one other main hazelnut producing country with 14 thousand t year-1. A new European ERASMUS + Project “Examination of modern and traditional applications in hazelnut production” was prepared highlighting a “Cooperation for Innovation and the Exchange of Good Practices”. Four partners from Turkey (Ordu Commercial Exchange, Ordu University, Ordu Governor and Altınordu Chamber of Agriculture), one from Italy (Università degli Studi della Tuscia, Viterbo), and one from Spain (IRTA-Mas de Bover, Tarragona) are involved in this EU project. The most fundamental problem in hazelnut is low quality and low yield according to the World trade union. Accordingly, teaching new methods to the farmers by sharing the best practices with vocational training in Turkey, Italy and Spain, which enjoy the highest shares in hazelnut culture, would make great contributions to this issue. At the same time, this would also provide policy makers with new ideas. Farmers learning appropriate agricultural methods and implementing them would increase the hazelnut production and improve fruit quality. The expected goals of the project are to develop cooperation between the institutions, increase hazelnut quality and productivity, learn and adopt new farming methods, plant a pilot orchard, draft a hazelnut booklet, increase the communication between farmers, and share the best practices among three countries. At the end of the project, the outputs obtained will be disseminated to all hazelnut sectors.s