Objective: Walnut is classified as a strategic species for human nutrition and is an important product widely used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries for its green husk, shell, kernel, and leaves.
Methods: To investigate the biochemical properties of walnut kernels in some regions of western Iran (Hamedan, Kurdistan, Kermanshah provinces), an experiment was designed, and walnuts were collected from three ecotypes: Tuyserkan, Marivan, Kangavar and the total phenolic content, flavonoids, antioxidant capacity of the kernels were studied.
Results: Results of variance analysis for each trait showed significant differences in total phenolic content, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity among the three sites. The highest and lowest total phenolic content was observed in walnuts from Tuyserkan and Kangavar, respectively. The highest flavonoid content was found in the kernels of Tuyserkan walnuts, while the lowest was in Marivan walnuts; the highest antioxidant capacity was also obtained from the kernels of Tuyserkan county.
Conclusion: Therefore, it appears that among the studied regions, Tuyserkan County provides better conditions for the growth and accumulation of biochemical compounds in walnut kernels, making Tuyserkan walnuts suitable for both the food industry as a quality nut and for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries due to their favorable biochemical properties.