Abstract
In Jordan there are different environments and altitudes that have an effect on olive oil properties and fatty acid composition, which therefore affect its quality. Taking into account that there are no previous similar studies in this field, this study investigates the ratios and composition of the main fatty acids in mixed olive oil from different areas in Jordan (above and below the sea level); namely the Jordan Valley, Subaihi, Kufranja and Madaba areas where the elevation ranges between (-230 m) below sea level and (+785 m) above sea level. The study measures the impact of the location of olive orchards on the fatty acid composition of olive oil and of its quality. Three olive oil samples were collected from the “Nabali Muhasan” and “Baladi” varieties from each area. They were analyzed in the National Agriculture Research Center (NARC) laboratories using GAS Chromatography. The results showed that the ratios of fatty acids are significantly affected by the degree of above elevation of the olive trees sea level. This confirms the impact of the geographical and climatic environment, which is reflected on the olive oil quality due to differences in the ratios of fatty acids in the four planting areas. This shows that the mean concentration of the fatty acids in the olive oil in these four planting areas is not equal. In general, there is a significant difference in the fatty acid concentrations compared to the standard concentration because of the planting location of olive trees, given that olive oil fatty acids in each location work together in a balanced integrative relationship.
Highlights
Jordan has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers, and cool, wet winters
This research aims to study the composition of olive oil fatty acids, and their proportions in different samples of olive oil collected from sites at different elevations in Jordan
Olive oil samples were collected from 4 areas in Jordan with different elevations (3 samples for each site, a total of 12 samples), namely: the Jordan Valley (-230 m below sea level), Kufaranja (+680 m above sea level), Al-Subaihi (+490 m above sea level) and Madaba (+785 m above sea level)
Summary
Jordan has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers, and cool, wet winters. about 75% of the country has a desert climate with annual rainfall of less than 200 mm. The Jordan Valley, known in Arabic as the Ghor, is the most fertile area. It extends from the northern border (212 meters below sea level) down to the Dead Sea (at 407 meters below sea level), while the highlands separate the Jordan Valley and its margins from the plains of the eastern desert. This region extends the entire length of the western part of the country. Elevation in the highlands varies considerably, from 600 meters to about 1,500 meters above sea level, with temperature and rainfall patterns varying (Jordan, n.d.)
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