Paclitaxel and other taxanes in hazelnut

Abstract

Small amounts of paclitaxel (Taxol®) were isolated from Tombul hazelnut (Corylus arellana L.) hard shells, green shell covers and leaves. In addition to paclitaxel, 10-deacetyl baccatin III, baccatin III and cephalomannine were found in the extracts. Taxanes were not detected in nut kernels or hulls from this cultivar. The amounts present varied between 8.61 and 68.22 micrograms per gram sample on a defatted and dried basis. While it is possible that these taxanes may have been made by fungi associated with the hazelnut, it is likely that they are made by the plant tissues. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.