Antimicrobial properties of American Hazelnut oil and extracts

Abstract

While European hazelnuts are a globally traded commodity, American hazelnut and its hybrids are grown by a relatively small number of growers and are marketed regionally. In recent years, plantings have expanded in the Upper Midwest. With this expansion has come a desire to develop markets for co-products, such as the husks. The objectives of this study were to 1) characterize American hazelnut phenolic extracts and 2) to investigate the antimicrobial properties of American hazelnut oil and phenolic extracts. Phenolics were extracted from the husks of cultivated American hazelnuts and were tested with HPLC. Phenolic extracts and pressed hazelnut oil were tested for antimicrobial properties against five Gram-positive bacteria, seven Gram-negative bacteria and two fungi. Husk extract showed inhibition against eight of these organisms. Overall, this exploratory project suggests potential for hazelnut husk extract to be used as an antimicrobial compound against some bacteria.