title: Fruit position within the canopy affects kernel lipid composition of hazelnuts.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this research was to study the variability in kernel composition within the canopy of hazelnut trees.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Kernel fresh and dry weight increased linearly with fruit height above the ground. Fat content decreased, while protein and ash content increased, from the bottom to the top layers of the canopy. The level of unsaturation of fatty acids decreased from the bottom to the top of the canopy. Thus, the kernels located in the bottom layers of the canopy appear to be more interesting from a nutritional point of view, but their lipids may be more exposed to oxidation. The content of different phytosterols increased progressively from bottom to top canopy layers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most of these effects correlated with the pattern in light distribution inside the canopy. The results of this study indicate that fruit position within the canopy is an important factor in determining hazelnut kernel growth and composition. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pannico
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cirillo
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Giaccone
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Scognamiglio
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Romano
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Caporaso
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sacchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Boris
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4207-576X
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Basile
mesh_terms: D031211:Corylus / Q000737:chemistry*; D004777:Environment; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis; D005638:Fruit; D007558:Italy; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis*; D009753:Nutritive Value; D009754:Nuts / Q000737:chemistry*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010840:Phytosterols / Q000032:analysis; D012639:Seeds / Q000254:growth & development; D014197:Trees
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids; D008055:Lipids; D010840:Phytosterols
keywords: Corylus avellana; fatty acids; kernel weight; lipid oxidation; peroxide value; phytosterols