Influence of variety and geographical region on mineral contents of hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) varieties

The mineral contents of three different varieties of hazelnut, namely Karafindik, Tombul, and Delisava, which are cultivated in Sakarya-Turkey, were studied for variety and geographical region and analysed by using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. A total of four elements, iron, copper, manganese, zinc, were determined in hazelnut kernels in hulled and dehulled forms. The mean levels of iron, copper, manganese, and zinc are 3.45 +/- 1.3, 1.61 +/- 1.1, 12.72 +/- 0.6, 2.63 +/- 0.6 in hulled kernels, 3.24 +/- 1.9, 1,72 +/- 0.9, 11.54 +/- 0.9, 2.76 +/- 0.4 in dehulled kernels, respectively. Mineral compositions of varieties showed significant differences from each other by means of geographical region and hulled or dehulled state of hazelnut kernels. It was found that the highest mineral levels were measured in Hendek district whereas in Akyazi district lowest mineral contents were obtained