Hazelnuts are rarely cultivated in Germany, although they are a valuable source for macro- and micronutrients and can thus contribute to a healthy diet. Near the present, 15 varieties were cultivated in Thuringia, Germany, as a pilot study for further research. The aim of our study was to evaluate the micro- and macronutrient composition of representative, randomly mixed samples of the 15 different hazelnut cultivars. Protein, fat, and fiber contents were determined using established methods. Fatty acids, tocopherols, minerals, trace elements, and ultra-trace elements were analyzed using gas chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, and inductively coupled plasma triple quadrupole mass-spectrometry, respectively. We found that the different hazelnut varieties contained valuable amounts of fat, protein, dietary fiber, minerals, trace elements, and α-tocopherol, however, in different quantities. The variations in nutrient composition were independent of growth conditions, which were identical for all hazelnut varieties. Therefore, each hazelnut cultivar has its specific nutrient profile.

Dear readers, authors, editors, and reviewers of Plant Systematics and Evolution, After 15 years of service as chief editor of Plant Systematics and Evolution, I am going to hand over my duties to a new team. Over all these years I have tried to maintain the scope of this journal wide and at the time focused on what its title promises—to organize publication of new achievements in the field of plant Systematics and Evolution. It has been my policy while maintaining a high standard of scientific quality to encourage authors not only from Europe and North America, but from the whole world to participate in the advancement of science. I would like to thank my editorial assistant, Ms. Uta Schwabe, to whom—I think I speak also on behalf of all members of the editorial board—I am indebted for her constant efforts in communication with authors, reviewers, and editors to get manuscripts timely published. Together, we tried to present interesting results and points for discussion. This has been mo ...