Recycling of hazelnut waste: Antidiabetic properties of soy lecithin nanoparticles and their in vitro anti-proliferative effects in tumor cell lines.

[BACKGROUND] Hazelnuts and foods produced using hazelnuts are consumed with pleasure, but it is important to evaluate the waste generated during hazelnut processing and determine their usage methods.

[RESULTS] This study was conducted to determine the changes in bioactive components, bioaccessibility and antidiabetic activity of nanoparticles synthesized using soy lecithin from hazelnut wastes. The shell-derived nanoparticles had the highest zeta potential (-38.62 mV), and the smallest particle size and polydispersity index values. The production efficiency of nanoparticles was in the range of 79.10-89.46%, and the loading capacity was in the range of 38.17-52.59%. The antioxidant properties and thermal stability of the shell nanoparticle were higher. The highest gallic acid, rutin, o-coumaric acid, quercetin and kaempferol were measured in shell nanoparticles. In the bioaccessibility results, gallic acid (69.47%), protocatechuic acid (61.28%), quercetin (61.50%) and kaempferol (52.07%) were at the highest values in the shell nanoparticle. Lipid peroxidation inhibition was highest in shell nanoparticles (8.41 mg mL), while the lowest effect was measured in husk nanoparticles. The order of antidiabetic activity was shell nanoparticles > skin nanoparticles > husk nanoparticles. The investigation revealed that the nanoparticles exhibited significant anticancer activity in the MCF-7 breast cancer and HT-29 colon cancer cell lines. Principal component analysis showed that antioxidant properties are the key drivers of principal component one (PC1), while enzyme activities influence principal component two (PC2).

[CONCLUSION] The results obtained revealed the potential use of nanoparticles produced from hazelnut waste (especially shell) for therapeutic purposes and prevention of diseases associated with oxidative stress. © 2026 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.