HPLC–MS identification of phenols in hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) kernels

In whole hazelnut kernels, as the main product of hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.), phenols were analysed in 20 hazelnut cultivars by high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS). Twenty-three compounds from different phenolic groups were detected, and 15 of them were identified. In hazelnut kernels, these substances were detected: nine flavan-3-ols, two benzoic acids (gallic and protocatechuic acid), three flavonols and phloretin glycoside. Total phenol concentrations ranged from 70 to 478 mg gallic acid equivalents per kg hazelnut kernels. A high content level of total phenols was observed in the ‘Tonda Gentile delle Langhe’ and ‘Lewis’ cultivars, which was followed by the ‘Corabel’, ‘Fertile de Coutard’, ‘Daria’ and ‘Tonda Gentile Romana’ cultivars. Similarly, the highest antioxidative activity, measured by employing DPPH-antiradical assay, was also found in the ‘Tonda Gentile delle Langhe’ cultivar, followed by the ‘Fertile de Coutard’.