Effect of geographical location and soil fertility on main phenolic compounds and fatty acids compositions of virgin olive oil from Leccino cultivar in China

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of geographic location (i.e., latitude, longitude, altitude) and soil fertility (i.e., nitrogen, phosphorus) on main phenolic compounds and fatty acids in VOO nearby the Bailong River in Longnan city, a representative planting-region in China. The geographical distribution analysis showed that the sampling-points from the middle reaches of Bailong River had higher secondary metabolites, such as oleacein and oleocanthal. Correlation analysis revealed that the contents of ligustroside, vanillic acid and rutin were negatively correlated with altitude while the contents of heptadecenoic acid, oleic acid and eicosenoic were positively related to the altitude. Moreover, the excessive available nitrogen had an adverse effect on the content of phenolic compounds and fatty acids in virgin olive oil. It was helpful for the accumulation of phenolic compounds and fatty acids in virgin olive oil when the level of available nitrogen ranged from 51 to 100 mg/kg. These findings are helpful for the geographic-location selection and fertilization management of olive orchard.