Hazelnut kernels and byproducts contain interesting phytochemicals, including taxane derivatives which have been extensively studied for their anti-cancer applications. The most abundant phytochemicals in hazelnuts are polyphenols such as flavone- and flavonol-derivatives and dyarilheptanoids. Plant tissue culture could be a valid technique for the production and accumulation of plant secondary metabolites mainly because it is fast, replicable, inexpensive, and scaleable to an industrial level. The focus of this study was to establish a suitable protocol for the micropropagation of red-leaf hazelnut (C. maxima), thought to be a potential source of anthocyanins with antioxidant capacity. Anthocyanins can be considered as value added to the other important ones already detected in hazelnut. Surface-sterilized buds, collected from the orchard, were placed on a medium already used for the micropropagation of C. avellana ‘Tonda Gentile Romana’. Explants of red-leaf hazelnut and ‘Tonda Gentile Romana’ were then multiplied under two different light conditions: a continuous spectrum LED system rich in green and red wavelengths (LED AP673L), and a fluorescent lamp (L36W/77) with 16-h light photoperiod. After four weeks in culture, morphometric and biochemical analyses were carried out. Results showed anthocyanin content was significantly influenced by both light treatment and genotype with the red-leaf hazelnut grown under LED AP673L showing the highest values. No differences in growth traits were observed for either genotype or light treatment. © 2023 International Society for Horticultural Science. All rights reserved.

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