Influence of the type of olive‐crusher used on the quality of extra virgin olive oils

An experimental investigation was carried out to evaluate the quality of virgin olive oils obtained when either a hammer‐crusher or a disk‐crusher were used for the olive paste preparation; the effect of the temperature rise caused by rapid olive crushing was also assessed. Oxidative degradation in the oils obtained from hammer‐crushed olives was significantly higher than in those obtained from disk‐crushed olives as shown by the levels of oxidised triacylglycerols and the results of the oven test. A significant inverse correlation (p <0.001) was found between the Rancimat induction time values and the amounts of oxidised triacylglycerols as determined by the high‐performance size exclusion chromatography analysis of polar compounds. These findings suggested that polar compound analyses, just as routine analyses, may be used as a suitable analytical tool to effectively evaluate the quality of virgin olive oils.     

Characterization of olive paste volatiles to predict the sensory quality of virgin olive oil

One of the main challenges that virgin olive oil producers face today is an accurate prediction of the sensory quality of the final product prior to the milling of the olives. The possibility that olive paste aroma can be used as a predictive measurement of virgin olive oil quality is studied in this paper. The study was centered on distinguishing the aroma of olive pastes that produced virgin olive oils without sensory defects from the aroma of olive pastes the virgin olive oils of which showed sensory defects. Olive pastes were analyzed by solid‐phase microextraction‐gas chromatography and a sensor system based on metal oxide sensors. Forty‐four volatile compounds were identified in olive pastes, all of them being also present in virgin olive oil. Six volatile compounds – acetic acid, octane, methyl benzene, (E)‐2‐hexenal, hexyl acetate and 3‐methyl‐1‐butanol – distinguished both kinds of pastes with only five misclassified samples. Five metal oxide sensors were able to classify the olive pastes with only two erroneous classifications.     

Olive Oil Quality and Sensory Changes During House‐Use Simulation and Temporal Assessment Using an Electronic Tongue

During domestic usage, olive oil bottle manipulation may lead to a quality decrease due to agitation and oxygenation. Therefore, assessing the domestic consumption time period during which the initial quality grade is retained may allow including this information as a recommendation, ensuring olive oil consumers’ satisfaction. Temporal changes of physicochemical, chemical, and sensory parameters of extra‐virgin olive oils (EVOO) were monitored during 1‐month simulated house‐use conditions. It was observed that K₂₃₂ (R‐Pearson ≥+0.81) and ΔK increased resulting in a significant olive oil quality decrease from EVOO (during the initial 21 days of simulated usage) to lampante olive oil (after 28 days of simulated usage) as well as the appearance of rancid sensation. As lampante olive oils cannot be commercialized, it is pertinent to establish olive oil shelf life under usual home‐use conditions. Principal component analysis allowed grouping the olive oils according to home‐use time period and how bottles are stored after their first opening, showing that the overall olive oil physicochemical and sensory characteristics changed with the domestic‐use time period. Finally, a potentiometric electronic tongue coupled with linear discriminant analysis was used to discriminate olive oils according to the domestic‐use time period (leave‐one‐out cross‐validation sensitivities ≥95%). Thus, this device could be used to indirectly assess the quality of the remaining bottled olive oil by establishing for how long an olive oil bottle has been used under domestic conditions.     

Evolution of phenols and pigments in extra virgin olive oil from irrigated super‐intensive orchard

Phenolic compounds have a high importance in olive oil because of their effect on shelf life and sensory properties. This study reports on the HPLC profiles of the phenolic compounds of virgin olive oils obtained from Arbequina olives from the harvesting in a super‐intensive orchard under a linear irrigation system. In addition, phenolic content, carotenoid and chlorophyllic pigments, and oxidative stability were analyzed. Total phenol content and 3,4‐DHPEA‐EDA increased up to a maximum throughout the ripening process. The simple phenols tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol acetate increased throughout the ripening process, however, there was not found a clear trend in hydroxytyrosol content. Minor constituents such as vanillic acid and p‐coumaric acid increased up to a maximum and then decreased, since vanillin decreased progressively throughout the time of harvest. 3,4‐DHPEA‐EDA and lignans were present in considerable amounts in the studied samples, while oleuropein aglycone was present in a low amount. Total phenol content and oil stability followed the same trend throughout the study, so a very good correlation was established between them. Total secoiridoids and, specifically, 3,4‐DHPEA‐EDA seemed to be responsible for oil stability. The pigment content decreased during ripening, and not a positive correlation was found between pigments and oil stability. Practical applications : The results can be used to determine the best time for harvesting in order to obtain olive oils with different phenols and pigment contents. This is important for sensory characteristics of the olive oils and also for olive oil stability.     

Influence of olive crushing methods on the yields and oil characteristics

In the last years, metallic crushers substituted granite stone mill with some variations in the organoleptic oil characteristics. To control the influence of the crushing method on the yield and oil quality, the olive pastes were obtained using three different ways: (i) new metallic crusher at mobile knives; (ii) granite stone mill; (iii) double olive crushing by the metallic crusher and the granite stone mill. With the aim to ascertain the useful use of a new metallic crusher (at mobile knives), experimental tests were carried out in an industrial oil mill. This oil mill is equipped by a centrifugal decanter generating two oil flows: first and second extraction (recovery) oils. The results showed that the yields obtained by different methods were satisfactory. No statistically significant differences have been observed in terms of oil yield and quality when different crushing devices were used. All first extracted oils are extra virgin with similar organoleptic characteristics, especially for the fruity intensity and for the bitter and pungent taste, as confirmed by the composition of volatile substances and the content of phenolic oil compounds. The recovery oils (second extraction oils) showed, in contrast to first extraction oils, a more intense green colour and a higher content of total phenols. Practical applications: Processing of sound olives with the right ripening grade and good quality allows to easily obtain an extra virgin olive oil, with commercial qualitative parameters according to the European Union requirements. However, different olive crushing systems affect the concentrations of some compounds responsible of aroma and taste (phenolic compounds). The use of the more violent metallic crushers facilitates obtaining oils with total phenol content higher than when using a stone mill. Here we used a particular metallic crusher (at knives) that, however, is suitable to replace the granite stone mill when a less pungent and bitter oil is required.     

Effects of the cold percolation system on the quality of virgin olive oil

The effects of the cold percolation system on the quality of virgin olive oil from two different Italian cultivars (Coratina and Oliarola) were determined. The quality was also compared with that of oil extracted with the current centrifugation system using a two‐phases decanter. Tests were performed in an industrial oil mill equipped with the two extraction systems. The oils extracted with cold percolation system showed, in all cases, lower free acidity, peroxide value, and ultraviolet (UV) absorption (K₂₃₂ and K₂₇₀) and higher polyphenol contents in comparison to oils obtained by two‐phases centrifugation. These results were confirmed by the autoxidation stability of the oils examined.     

Changes in virgin olive oil characteristics during different storage conditions

In this study we have examined the effect of olive oil storage outdoors on a comprehensive series of quality measures. The conditions used were at the extreme of those encountered during the production of bottle oil. Filtered and unfiltered oils were compared as was the influence of inert gas (nitrogen) in the headspace. Increases in K₂₃₂, K₂₇₀ and peroxides over time were very much reduced by inert headspace gas, which also reduced losses of total phenols and oxidative stability. Headspace nitrogen also reduced the rise in unconjugated phenolics as secoiridoid derivatives declined and minimised losses in polyunsaturated fatty acids. The pattern of volatile compounds detected in olive oils stored indoors or outdoors showed subtle differences. Moreover, when stored with air exposure the levels of some negative sensory components such as penten‐3‐ol and hexanal increased while other positives, like trans‐2‐hexenal were reduced. These changes would be expected to reduce quality. Finally, Panel tests were used. All oils lost perceived quality on storage and this was accelerated outdoors while headspace nitrogen slowed the deterioration significantly. Our data show that storage outdoors for 4 months in winter does not reduce olive oil quality significantly and that an inert gas in the headspace is beneficial. Practical applications : The storage of olive oil for bottling is carried out under a variety of conditions. Here we assess the effects of storage outdoors for oils from the main Greek cultivar (Koroneiki) of olive. Detailed analyses of quality (standard measures, different phenolics, lipids and volatiles) as well as Panel tests were used for evaluation. Our data show that, although storage outdoors causes deterioration quicker than indoors, changes are not serious up to 4 months. Furthermore, the use of an inert headspace gas significantly preserved quality both indoors and outdoors. Thus we would strongly recommend the latter measure to producers.     

Effect of extraction conditions on sensory quality of virgin olive oil

The extraction conditions of virgin olive oil have a great influence on its sensory quality. During the centrifugation process, temperature and time of malaxing can be altered to potentially affect quality. Malaxing times (15, 30, 45, 60, and 90 min) and temperatures (25 and 35°C) were studied in an experimental oil mill. Volatile compounds, produced through the lipoxygenase pathway (hexanal, Z-3-hexenal, E-2-hexenal, hexyl acetate, Z-3-hexenyl acetate, hexan-1-ol, E-3-hexen-1-ol, Z-3-hexen-1-ol, and E-2-hexen-1-ol), were analyzed by dynamic headspace gas chromatography, gas chromatographymass spectrometry, and gas chromatography-olfactometry. Different amounts of volatiles responsible for positive attributes of green aroma and negative attributes of astringent mouthfeel of virgin olive oil were determined. The results, after applying mathematical procedures, showed that a temperature of 25°C and a malaxing time between 30 and 45 min produced volatile compounds that contribute to the best sensory quality. High temperature (T≥35°C) with minimum values of time (t<30 min) could also be useful as an alternative way to obtain pleasant green virgin olive oils.     

Enhancement of Bioactive Phenols and Quality Values of Olive Oil by Recycling Olive Mill Waste Water

Mature ‘Chondrolia Chalkidikis’ olives were processed in an industrial olive oil mill equipped with a three‐phase decanter. Water was added to the decanter at a 1:2 water‐to‐paste ratio. Olive mill waste water (ΟΜWW) was used to replace the added water at a rate of 50 or 100%. Following the final separation, the obtained oil was used for chemical analysis and sensory evaluation. All oils had similar acidity, peroxide and Κ values. OMWW‐treated olive oils presented higher total phenolic content and higher antioxidant activity based on DPPH and oven tests, but lower chlorophyll and carotenoids content. However, there was no significant difference between the 50 and 100% replacement. The phenolic profile of the treated olive oils analyzed by quantitative ¹Η NMR revealed more than twofold oleocanthal and oleacein as well as oleuropein and ligstroside aglycone contents than in the control. Sensory evaluation of treated oils also showed an enhancement of fruity, bitter and pungent attributes compared to the control.     

Chemical and sensorial changes of Croatian monovarietal olive oils during ripening

The aim of this investigation was to determine the impact of fruit ripening on chemical and sensorial changes in monovarietal olive oils obtained from two important olive cultivars grown in Croatia, Bu?a and ?rna. In Bu?a oils peroxide value, K₂₃₂ and K₂₇₀ increased during ripening, while no differences among three ripening stages in ?rna oils were observed. Oils of both cultivars at the later ripening stages had higher free acidity level and lower sensory score followed by mild loss in almost all positive sensory characteristics. Total phenols and antioxidant capacity decreased in Bu?a oils during fruit ripening, while in ?rna oils reached maximum level in purple stage and then progressively decreased in the black ripening stage. Oleic acid level slightly increased during ripening in both cultivar oils. Linoleic acid decreased in Bu?a oils obtained from black fruits while palmitic acid decreased in ?rna oils during ripening. In both monovarietal oils chlorophyll and carotenoids concentrations decreased during ripening. The two cultivars had different course of total aldehydes, total esters and total ketones during ripening, while total alcohols were the highest in oils from purple ripening stage and then decreased as ripening progress. Practical applications: During the ripening, the chemical composition of olive fruit changes influencing the quality grade, oxidative stability, sensory characteristics and nutritional value of the obtained products. The cultivars characterized by a similar trend of ripening process could have different course of chemical and sensorial changes in oil during fruit ripening. Therefore, knowledge about these changes is important for determination of proper harvest time of single cultivar to achieve optimum of its potential regarding desirable characteristics of obtained oil.     

Characterization of grape seed oil from different grape varieties (Vitis vinifera)

In this work, oil obtained from seeds of different red grape varieties, grown in the Autonomous Regions of Castilla‐La Mancha and Murcia (Spain), was characterized by determining physicochemical and sensory quality parameters, stability, and the composition in fatty acids and sterols. The physicochemical quality parameters (free acidity, peroxide index, K₂₇₀ and wax) scored high (meaning low quality) compared with virgin olive oils, while the negative sensory attributes stood out over the positive ones. Therefore, the oil was not considered suitable for table use without undergoing a refining process. The samples showed high linoleic and low linolenic acid contents, while β‐sitosterol was the main sterol found. Drying grape seeds with hot air before extraction gave higher physicochemical quality, total phenolic content and stability, and lower wax content in comparison to air‐drying of seeds. The drying process affected the sterol composition but not the fatty acid composition.     

On the importance of total polar phenols to monitor the stability of Greek virgin olive oil

A large number of virgin olive oil samples obtained from different areas in Greece were analyzed for various quality parameters. The work focuses on the colorimetric determination of total phenols with the Folin‐Ciocalteu reagent and its importance in predicting shelf life of virgin olive oil. The results indicate a good correlation of total polar phenol content with the stability of the oil. Colorimetric determination of ortho‐diphenol content does not seem to be a better means for predicting virgin olive oil stability. RP‐HPLC quantification of hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol in their free form gives poor results in the case of freshly extracted oils. It is concluded that until an easy‐to‐manage HPLC method will be available, which will quantify accurately both free and bound forms of hydroxytyrosol and other phenolics, the colorimetric method for the determination of total polar phenols remains a good practical means to evaluate the stability of virgin olive oil.     

Dynamic Accumulation of Volatile Compounds Between Olive Pulps and Stones and Its Relation with the Fatty Acids Content During the Oil Extraction Process of Ouslati and Chemlali Olive Fruits

The characterization of both volatiles and fatty acids of Tunisian olive varieties (Ouslati and Chemlali) is achieved in order to understand their correlation with the aroma accumulation via the lipoxygenase (LOX) pathway. The main identified volatiles in both crushed pulps and crushed stones are hexanal, E‐(2)‐hexenal, (Z)‐3‐hexen‐1‐ol, 1‐hexanol, and hexyl acetate. With regard to their fatty acid composition, results show that both de‐stoned (DOO) and conventional (COO) olive oils contain mainly unsaturated fatty acids. The results also show that oleic acid (C18:1) is the main fatty acid in both DOO and COO. Meanwhile, linoleic acid (C18:2) is present in a relatively higher percentage (5.2% and 19.8%, respectively, for Ouslati and Chemlali DOI) than linolenic fatty acid (C18:3) (<2%). The analysis of volatiles shows that more than 80% of total LOX‐compounds from both crushed pulps and crushed stones have linolenic acid as synthesis precursor despite its lower level (2%). Moreover, the contribution of olive parts in generating aroma is much higher in crushed pulps (more than 80%) than in crushed stones, which explains the fact that DOO, extracted from crushed pulps, contains the dominant amount of volatiles. Therefore, the obtained results promote both the consumption and the marketing of DOO. Practical Applications: The aroma and the organoleptic properties of olive oil are strictly correlated with both the olives quality and the extraction techniques used. Many technologies are developed to extract olive oil with highest quality. De‐stoned olive oil extraction process is one of these technical procedures. In the present work, the characterization of volatiles in pulp and stone separately provides important information about the contribution of olive constitutive parts on the accumulation of olive oil aroma during the oil extraction process.     

Pecan (Carya illinoinensis) oil consumer hedonic rating,sensory characteristic,satiating and energizing effect,and drivers of overall acceptance

With increasing global health and wellness product needs, pecan oil is getting popular in recent years. Although considered a gourmet oil because of its unique sensory and nutritional values, there is no publication focusing on consumer attitude toward pecan oil. This study, for the first time, investigated consumer acceptance, sensory quality, and emotional response to five pecan oils from native and improved varieties, with a comparison to an olive oil. All five pecan oils had positive hedonic ratings (>5, with a 9-point hedonic scale) for overall acceptance and the acceptance of oil flavor, raw-nut flavor, and thickness, while the olive oil was rated slightly lower than 5 for these attributes. Pecan oils had higher intensities in raw-nut flavor, but lower in overall oil flavor, fatty flavor, astringency, and thickness compared to olive oil. Off-flavor was not perceived in pecan oils, whereas it was perceived in olive oil. The six oils did not show significant differences in satiating effects; however, olive oil was rated lower in energizing effects than pecan oils, which showed a significant variety difference (p ≤ 0.05). Consumer overall acceptance was significantly, positively driven by energizing effects, followed by the acceptability of raw-nut flavor, thickness, and oil flavor; off-flavors were negative drivers. Results obtained from this study add direct pecan oil consumer insight: an asset for pecan growers, pecan processing industry, and pecan oil marketers.     

Biochemical Characterization of Arbequina Extra Virgin Olive Oil Produced in Turkey

Varieties of the olive cultivar Arbequina have recently been cultivated in Turkey. The objective of the study is to characterize and evaluate extra‐virgin olive oils (EVOO) produced from Arbequina grown in the Aegean and Mediterranean regions of Turkey. Major and minor components such as carotenoids, squalene, phenolics and tocopherols were studied to assess their effects on product quality and health benefits. The samples, identified as ArbqI and ArbqA, were from the Izmir and Adana provinces, respectively. Samples were analyzed by GC‐FID to determine fatty acid composition, sterol composition, TAG profile and squalene content. Individual phenolic fractions were analyzed by LC–MS/MS and tocopherol isomers were determined by HPLC. According to the results obtained from this study; Total phenolic content (TPC) of the samples were 454.68 and 50.86 mg Gallic acid/kg oil for ArbqI and ArbqA, respectively. Hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol were determined to be the main phenols. The major tocopherol isomer found in ArbqI and ArbqA was α‐tocopherol with levels of 179.55 and 202.5 mg/kg oil, respectively. β‐Carotene levels in both samples were similar at 0.2 mg/kg. Findings of this study were compared with the literature on Arbequina olive oil produced in different countries. It was determined that Arbequina olive oil of high quality can be produced in Turkey, especially in the Aegean region.     

Effect of extraction systems on the phenolic composition of virgin olive oils

The effect of extraction systems on the phenolic composition of virgin olive oils obtained from two different Italian cultivars (Coratina and Oliarola) was determined. The oils extracted using two-phase centrifugation showed in all cases higher phenolic concentration in comparison to oils obtained from three-phase centrifugation. In particular, the highest differences were observed for aglykone derivatives of oleuropein (3,4-DHPEA-EDA and 3,4-DHPEA-EA) that are the most concentrated antioxidant phenolic compounds of virgin olive oil. These results were confirmed by the autoxidation stability of the oils examined.     

Phenolic acid content and sensory properties of two Spanish monovarietal virgin olive oils

In recent years, phenolic acids have received considerable attention as they are essential to olive oil quality and nutritional properties. This study aims to validate a rapid and sensitive method based on ultra‐performance liquid chromatography/time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (UPLC–TOF‐MS) for analyzing the phenolic acid content of olive oil and assessing its impact on virgin olive oil (VOO) sensory attributes. Once this method was validated, we used it to evaluate the phenolic acid composition of several Spanish monovarietal virgin olive oils in relation to nine different olive ripening stages. The results obtained confirm that the methodology developed in this study is valid for extracting and analyzing phenolic acids from VOO. The phenolic acid content of the virgin olive oils sampled was proven to be influenced by the type of cultivar and olive harvest date. Therefore, phenolic acids might be used as potential markers for olive oil cultivar or ripening stage. Finally, the data obtained indicate that the sensory properties of VOO may be differently affected by its phenolic acid content depending on the type of cultivar. Practical applications: The method validated in the present study – based on UPLC‐TOF‐MS – allows experts to assess the phenolic acid content of different VOO cultivars (varieties). This application will probably be very useful to the olive oil industry. The reason is that our study revealed that phenolic acids have an impact on the sensory quality of VOO, which is essential to consumer preferences and choice. In addition, there are phenolic acids that are only found in a particular variety of olive oil obtained from fruits at a specific ripening stage. Consequently, phenolic acids could be used as potential markers for olive oil variety and harvest time.     

Oxidative stability of olive oil flavoured by Capsicum frutescens supercritical fluid extracts

The effect of red pepper supercritical fluid extracts (SFE) on the oxidative stability of extra‐virgin olive oil was evaluated using accelerated stability tests [Rancimat and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) methods] and by measuring the changes in the levels of polyunsaturated fatty acid primary and secondary oxidation products during storage under ambient conditions. SFE were produced according to a central composite rotatable design, at a constant temperature (40 °C), different pressures (15–23 MPa) and superficial velocities (0.04–0.08 cm/s). The results showed that the red pepper extracts produced at low extraction pressure and superficial velocity (e.g. 16.2 MPa and 0.046 cm/s) containing low/intermediate capsaicinoid levels did not affect olive oil stability. The extracts produced at higher pressure showed a slight pro‐oxidant activity. The K₂₃₂ and K₂₇₀ values always fell within the limit set by the European legislation for the quality characteristics of olive oil containing no additives. Evaluation of oxidative stability using DSC was found to be a useful methodology, which demands smaller oil samples and shorter times in comparison with the methodology using the Rancimat apparatus. Red pepper SFE obtained at low extraction pressures can be used in order to produce stable flavoured olive oils.     

Differentiation of mixtures of monovarietal olive oils by mid‐infrared spectroscopy and chemometrics

Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy in combination with chemometric techniques has become a useful tool for authenticity determination of extra‐virgin olive oils. Spectroscopic analysis of monovarietal extra‐virgin olive oils obtained from three different olive cultivars (Erkence, Ayvalik and Nizip) and mixtures (Erkence‐Nizip and Ayvalik‐Nizip) of monovarietal olive oils was performed with an FT‐IR spectrometer equipped with a ZnSe attenuated total reflection sample accessory and a deuterated tri‐glycine sulfate detector. Using spectral data, principal component analysis successfully classified each cultivar and differentiated the mixtures from pure monovarietal oils. Quantification of two different monovarietal oil mixtures (2–20%) is achieved using partial least square (PLS) regression models. Correlation coefficients (R²) of the proposed PLS regression models are 0.94 and 0.96 for the Erkence‐Nizip and Ayvalik‐Nizip mixtures, respectively. Cross‐validation was applied to check the goodness of fit for the PLS regression models, and R² of the cross‐validation was determined as 0.84 and 0.91, respectively, for the two mixtures.