Physicochemical properties of different types of cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus L.) fruits, kernels and kernel oils grown in Türkiye

This study aimed to determine the physicochemical properties of different types of cherry laurel fruits, kernels and kernel oils grown in Türkiye. The weights, widths and lengths, moisture, ash, pH, protein, glucose, fructose and dietary fiber contents of different types of cherry laurel fruits were determined as 3,011-5,753 g, 15,107-20,813 mm, 17,179-19,884 mm, 65,267-75,712 %, 0,567-1,005 %, 3,820-4,260 %, 0,735-0,942 %, 9,077-12,155 g/100g, 3,605-7,176 g/100g and 16,160-18,075% respectively.Total phenolic substance content of cherry laurel fruits (mg GAE/g extract) was determined as 407,30 – 547,10, free radical scavenging activity (DPPH) rate was 71,681-80,912 %, alpha-amylase enzyme inhibition rates (%) were 40,530 - 42,892 and alpha-glucosidase enzyme inhibition rates (%) were 67,542 - 68,483. When the kernels of cherry laurel fruits were examined, the internal weight of the kernels was 0,065-0,110 g, humidity rate was 4,020-6,301 %, ash rate was 2,722-4,173 %, pH was 5,415-5,730, protein amount was 17,693-26,051 %, fat rate was 25,773-33,800 %, glucose amount was 4,841-10,958 g/100g, fructose amount was 0,584-2,581 g/100g and dietary fiber was 16,505-26,560 %, total phenolic substance content (mg GAE/g extract) was 571,60-671,70 , free radical scavenging activity (DPPH) rate was 76,695-82,849 %, alpha-amylase enzyme inhibition rates (%) were determined in the range of 39,808 - 44,354 and the inhibition rate (%) α-glucosidase enzyme was determined in the range of 66,867-71,762. The most abundant mineral in all cherry laurel fruit types (11664,518-17510,708 ppm) and all cherry laurel fruit kernels (7011,552-9617,841 ppm) was determined as K. When the amounts of phenolic compounds were examined in general, the major component in all fruit types (106,453-1095,749 mg/g-extract) and cherry laurel fruit kernels (179,030 – 929,395 mg/g-extract) was determined as quinic acid. Free fatty acidity (%) of the oils obtained from different types of cherry laurel fruit kernels were determined as 0,221-0,330, peroxide number 0,980-1,400, refractive index 1,4616-1,4730, viscosity value (mPa) 39,40-46,21, saponification number (mg KOH/g oil) 182,00-183,00, unsaponifiable matter (%) 0,226-0,490, total phenolic content (mg GAE/ g extract) 479,20-558,00, α-tocopherol amount (mg/kg) 65,256-102,598, DPPH % inhibition values were determined as 73,447-74,986. Oleic acid (58,047% -68,665%) was the main fatty acid in the oils of cherry laurel kernels and beta-sitosterol (75,05%-78,89%) was determined to be the highest in terms of sterol composition. When the mineral substances found in cherry laurel kernel oils were examined, the most abundant mineral substances were determined as Mg (104,600 ppm and 88,100 ppm) in oils with code numbers 61K04 (Trabzon) and 14K02 (Bolu), and P (150,052 ppm and 81,235 ppm) in oils with code numbers 28K13 (Giresun) and 08K02 (Artvin). In line with all these results; it can be said that different types of cherry laurel fruits, kernels and kernel oils have different basic nutritional properties and that cherry laurel is a fruit with important functional properties.