Analytical evaluation of six monovarietal virgin olive oils from Northern Tunisia

The characterization of virgin olive oils from six Tunisian cultivars, namely Chétoui, Ain Jarboua, Jarboui, Regregui, Rekhami and Neb Jmel, grown in Nebeur (a region of the Kef) was carried out. These cultivars dominate their natural habitats, but with the exception of the Chétoui cultivar they are only scattered throughout the nation. Several analytical parameters were evaluated; these include quality index, fatty acid composition, chlorophylls, carotenoids, sterols, α‐tocopherol and phenolic compounds. Their relationship with oxidative stability was also tested. The main phenols found were tyrosol, hydroxytyrosol, the dialdehydic form of elenolic acid linked to tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol, oleuropein aglycon and pinoresinol. These phenolic compounds, the colorimetric total phenol content and o‐diphenols showed significant correlations with oxidative stability. Furthermore, most of the analytical parameters of the oils that were determined in this study were greatly influenced by genetic factors (cultivar).     

Volatile compounds characterising Tunisian virgin olive oils: the influence of cultivar

In this work, the volatile profiles of four Tunisian virgin olive oils were established by headspace‐solid phase microextraction and gas chromatography, using flame ionisation and mass spectrometer detectors. More than eighty compounds were isolated and characterised, representing 97–99% of the total GC area. The main volatile compounds present in the oil samples were determined quantitatively, the major constituents were often aldehydes, particularly (E)‐2‐hexenal (48–90%). Significant differences in the content of volatile constituents were observed. These quantitative differences were used to distinguish between virgin olive oils from different varieties.     

Compositional quality of virgin olive oil from two new Tunisian cultivars obtained through controlled crossings

This work was carried out on the study of virgin olive oil from two olive descendants obtained through controlled crossings on Chemlali, the dominant Tunisian olive oil variety. These crossings on Chemlali were undertaken to improve its oil quality. Preliminary work evaluating the oil fatty acid composition of the oil of 40 descendants showed the performance of two cultivars among the studied hybrids. These two new cultivars (Hd 034 and Hd 039) have an improved oil composition compared to that of Chemlali. A further study was therefore required for their complete characterization. The analytical parameters (fatty acid composition, total phenolic compounds, chlorophylls and carotenoids contents, oxidative stability, free acidity, peroxide value and ultraviolet characteristics) showed significant differences between oils from both cultivars. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Characterization of virgin olive oil from Southern Tunisia

Fruits from three Tunisian cultivars of Olea europea L. grown in the southeast of Tunisia were harvested at the maturity stage of ripeness and immediately processed with a laboratory mill. There are as yet no data on the chemical composition of virgin olive oils from the southeast of Tunisia, an area characterized by an arid condition of growth for olive trees. Our results showed significant differences in the analytical parameters examined for the three cultivars such as fatty acid composition, total phenols and o‐diphenols, and the content of chlorophylls and carotenoids, confirming the importance of genetic factors in the chemical characteristics of the oil. Headspace solid‐phase microextraction (HS‐SPME) was applied to the analysis of volatile compounds of virgin olive oils. Forty‐eight compounds were isolated and characterized by GC‐RI and GC‐MS, representing 94.1–98.1% of the total amount. (E)‐Hex‐2‐enal, the main compound extracted by SPME, characterized the olive oil headspace for all samples. So, it was clearly shown that there were qualitative and quantitative differences in the proportion of volatile constituents from oils of the various cultivars.     

Determination of total arsenic in soft drinks by hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry

A highly sensitive and simple method has been developed for the determination of total arsenic, by continuous hydride generation and atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HGAFS), in refreshing drink samples as colas, teas and fruit juices. Samples were mixed with concentrated HCl and KI to obtain final concentrations of 2 mol l⁻¹ and 1%, respectively. These solutions were aspirated and merged with a reducing NaBH₄ 3% (m/v) solution, with sample and NaBH₄ flow rates of 12.5 and 1.5 ml min⁻¹, respectively. The hydride generated in a 170 cm reaction coil was transported to the detector with an Ar flow of 400 ml min⁻¹. The recovery values of added concentrations, from 0.1 to 0.9 ng ml⁻¹, of arsenic in colas, teas and fruit juices were 94 ± 5, 101 ± 9 and 94 ± 6, respectively, achieving variation coefficients between 0.1% and 9%, confirming the accuracy of developed procedure. Detection limit, ranged from 0.01 to 0.03 ng ml⁻¹. On comparing the direct determination with a reference procedure made after dry ashing operation it can be noticed that the direct approach provides a simplification of the handling and time consuming, achieving statistically comparative results.     

Profiles of volatile compounds from some monovarietal Tunisian virgin olive oils. Comparison with French PDO

The volatile profiles of seven Tunisian and four French virgin olive oils were established by solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) and gas chromatography (GC), using flame ionisation and mass spectrometer detectors. Eighty-six compounds were identified and characterized, representing 97.4–99.9% of the total GC area. (E)-2-hexenal, the main compound extracted by SPME, characterized the olive oil headspace for approximately 90% of the oils examined. Significant differences in the proportions of volatile constituents from oils of different varieties were detected. The results demonstrated that the accumulation of the different metabolites in the oils obtained from the various cultivars was strictly connected with the varietal parameters on the basis of the enzyme differences genetically determined. This feature made possible the differentiation of the examined cultivars on the basis of the percent of each metabolite.     

Microwave heating effects on the chemical composition and the antioxidant capacity of tataouine virgin olive oils from Tunisia

Four Tunisian virgin olive oils (VOOs), derived from varieties (Chemlali Tataouine, Zarrazi Douirat, Fakhari Douirat, and Dhokar Douirat) grown in the harsh pedoclimatic conditions of the region of Tataouine, were evaluated for their responses to microwave heating. Aside from fatty acid composition, all other evaluated parameters were affected by microwave heating, and their variations depend on the genetic factor. Chemlali Tataouine VOO exhibited the slowest biophenol degradation rate and the least diminution in oxidative stability and consequently, its total fraction and both lipidic and methanolic fractions remained unchanged with an exceptional antioxidant potential. In the remaining studied VOOs, the biophenol contents, the oxidative stability, and the antioxidant potential underwent gradual decreases; nevertheless, their levels at the longer treatment time are close to some fresh VOOs. These results should be taken into consideration when Tataouine VOOs are recommended for microwave heating.