Introduction . Hazelnut ( Corylus avellana ) is a hard-peeled fruit that grows predominantly in the Mediterranean basin (temperate climates with high humidity and rainfall) and is internationally traded. It is estimated that approximately 1,200,000 tons of hazelnuts are produced annually worldwide, and the majority are produced in Turkey, Italy, Azerbaijan, the United States, Spain, Greece, Georgia, England, and Iran1 , 2. Hazelnuts are a rich source of squalane, protein, carbo...