Properties Of Extra Virgin Olive Oil Research Articles

Insights into the Antioxidant/Antiradical Effects and In Vitro Intestinal Permeation of Oleocanthal and Its Metabolites Tyrosol and Oleocanthalic Acid.

(1) Background: In recent years, numerous studies have highlighted the beneficial effects of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) as an active ingredient against chronic diseases. The properties of EVOO are due to its peculiar composition, mainly to its rich content of polyphenols. In fact, polyphenols may contribute to counteract oxidative stress, which often accompanies chronic diseases. In this work, the antioxidant effects of high-value polyphenol oleocanthal (OC) and its main metabolites, tyrosol (Tyr) and oleocanthalic acid (OA), respectively, have been investigated along with their impact on cell viability. (2) Methods: OC, Tyr, and OA have been evaluated regarding antiradical properties in term of scavenging capacity towards biologically relevant reactive species, including O2●-, HOCl, and ROO●, as well as their antioxidant/antiradical capacity (FRAP, DPPH●, ABTS●+). Moreover, the ability to permeate the intestinal membrane was assessed by an intestinal co-culture model composed by Caco-2 and HT29-MTX cell lines. (3) Results: The capacity of OC and Tyr as radical oxygen species (ROS) scavengers, particularly regarding HOCl and O2●-, was clearly demonstrated. Furthermore, the ability to permeate the intestinal co-culture model was plainly proved by the good permeations (>50%) achieved by all compounds. (4) Conclusions: OC, OA, and Tyr revealed promising properties against oxidative diseases.

Cold-Pressing Olive Oil in the Presence of Cryomacerated Leaves of Olea or Citrus: Nutraceutical and Sensorial Features.

The nutraceutical properties of extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) can be further improved by the addition of olive leaves during olive pressing. However, while Citrus leaves are rich sources of bioactive substances, no data are available in the literature about the effect of Citrus leaf addition on the nutraceutical and sensorial profiles of olive oil. This study aimed at comparing the chemical and sensorial qualities of olive oils obtained from ripe olives pressed together with either Olea or Citrus spp. (lemon or orange) cryomacerated leaves. General composition parameters as well as major antioxidants and antioxidant activity were measured. A panel test evaluation, as well as headspace volatile characterization (headspace solid phase microextraction, HS-SPME), were also performed. All data were compared with an EVOO extracted from the same olive batch used as control. It was possible to obtain Leaf Olive Oils (LOOs) characterized by a higher (p < 0.05) content of antioxidants, compared to the control sample, and the highest oleuropein concentration was detected in the olive oil extracted in presence of olive leaf (+50% in comparison with the control). All the LOOs showed a higher smell complexity and the scent of ripe fruit was generally mitigated. Lemon and olive LOOs showed the best smell profile.

Characterization and evaluation of phenolic profiles and color as potential discriminating features among Spanish extra virgin olive oils with protected designation of origin

Changes in phenolic profiles and color parameters can help to differentiate between extra virgin olive oils (EVOOs) with protected designation of origin (PDO). Phenolic profile characterization and CIELAB parameters determination of 9 PDO EVOOs from Spain were developed. Both properties of EVOOs are very relevant to their commercialization and increase the product value. The Serrana de Espadán olive cultivar was characterized for the first time and showed the highest pinoresinol concentrations and clarities in these olive oils, which are important values for the product image. To detect fraudulent instrumental work and implement quality control, principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) were performed. EVOO geographical origin and cultivar distributions were achieved with cumulative variances of 93.4% and 92.4%, respectively. A categorization of PDO EVOOs was proposed using the following 7 phenolic compounds: phenolic alcohols (tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol), 3,4-DHPEA-EDA, 3,4-DHPEA-EA, p-HPEA-EDA, pinoresinol and total phenolic compounds.

The effect of rosemary essential oil on physico-chemical properties of extra-virgin olive oil stored in colourful bottles

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of both storage material colour (red, green, yellow and transparent glass bottle) and rosemary essential oil on the physico-chemical properties of extra-virgin olive oil. For this reason, free fatty acid, peroxide value, viscosity, colour and fatty acid composition of oils were measured at regular intervals. Free fatty acid and peroxide values of olive oils stored in different coloured bottles increased partly during storage. After 90 days of storage, free fatty acid values of samples changed between 0.78 and 0.89 mg KOH/g oil. By the 90th day of storage peroxide values of samples had changed from 32.75 to 79.46 meq O2/kg oil, whereas the peroxide value of the control group on the 90th day was 94.55 meq O2/kg. On the first day (0 day), ‘L*’, ‘a*’ and ‘b*’ values of control groups were determined to be 70.81, -3.69 and 38.26, respectively. During storage, these values partly increased. Linoleic acid (40.95-43.92%), oleic acid (33.04-34.99%) and palmitic ac...

Unmasking of Olive Oil Adulteration Via a Multi-Sensor Platform.

Methods for the chemical and sensorial evaluation of olive oil are frequently changed and tuned to oppose the increasingly sophisticated frauds. Although a plethora of promising alternatives has been developed, chromatographic techniques remain the more reliable yet, even at the expense of their related execution time and costs. In perspective of a continuous increment in the number of the analyses as a result of the global market, more rapid and effective methods to guarantee the safety of the olive oil trade are required. In this study, a novel artificial sensorial system, based on gas and liquid analysis, has been employed to deal with olive oil genuineness and authenticity issues. Despite these sensors having been widely used in the field of food science, the innovative electronic interface of the device is able to provide a higher reproducibility and sensitivity of the analysis. The multi-parametric platform demonstrated the capability to evaluate the organoleptic properties of extra-virgin olive oils as well as to highlight the presence of adulterants at blending concentrations usually not detectable through other methods.

Healthy fats for healthy nutrition. An educational approach in the workplace to regulate food choices and improve prevention of non-communicable diseases.

An educational activity, aimed at highlighting the benefits of Mediterranean Diet, compared to less healthy eating patterns, can encourage the adoption and maintenance of a mindful approach to food choice. This is especially important when a progressive shift towards a non-Mediterranean dietary pattern can be observed, even in Mediterranean countries. To test a protocol aimed at increasing knowledge and motivation to embrace healthy eating habits and, engendering conscientious food choices, improve the prevention of non-communicable diseases. Employees were involved in educational activities focusing on a healthy Mediterranean diet and on the role played by extra-virgin olive oil, one of its key components. Food questionnaires were completed both before and after the educational and information activities, in order to assess changes in personal knowledge of and attitudes towards fat consumption. Answers on dietary guidelines and fat properties were more accurate after the seminars. The results showed increased understanding of the properties of extra-virgin olive oil versus seed oil and a stronger tendency towards healthy food choices. Implementing preventive information and training strategies and tools in the workplace, can motivate a more mindful approach to food choice with the long-term goal of contribute to reducing non-communicable diseases.

Physical and structural properties of extra-virgin olive oil based mayonnaise

The purpose of this work was to study the physical and structural properties of mayonnaises made with extra virgin olive oils (EVOO). To this aim, different EVOOs were selected according to their phenolic content along with other vegetable oils, peanut and sunflower, taken as reference. Mayonnaises were characterized by droplet size distribution, microstructure, textural, rheological and sensory properties. The droplet size distribution and microstructural properties of the mayonnaises resulted significantly affected by the type of oil used. Samples produced with EVOO showed lower dispersion level, a more coarse and irregular structure and the lowest consistency and firmness when compared to sunflower or peanut oils. The elastic and viscous modulus G′ and G″, evaluated by rheological measurements, resulted inversely related to the content of polyphenolic compounds.

Nutraceutical Properties of Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: A Natural Remedy for Age-Related Disease?

The health benefits of the Mediterranean diet can be largely ascribed to the nutraceutical properties of extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO). Mono-unsaturated fatty acids and various phenolic compounds, such as oleocanthal, oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, and tyrosol, are the main nutraceutical substances of EVOO. These substances have been suggested to have the ability to modulate aging-associated processes. In experimental models, it has been shown that EVOO with high concentrations of polyphenols has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. Indeed, it was observed that hydroxytyrosol and oleocanthal inhibit the cyclooxygenases (COX-1 and -2) responsible for prostaglandin production; oleuropein is a radical scavenger that blocks the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins. Due to the relevance of olive oil in the economy of Sicily, our group has been funded to assess the nutraceutical properties of different kinds of olive oil. Indeed, the aim of the study is to evaluate effects of EVOOs, with low and high polyphenols content, on immuno-inflammatory and oxidative stress responses in young and old people. A further objective of our group is to evaluate effects of EVOO, with low and high polyphenol content, on the expression of genes encoding proteins that take part in the insulin/insulin-like growth factor-1 signaling pathway involved in longevity. The results of the study will be useful for producing olive oil enriched in nutraceutical properties that may be likely helpful in the prevention of age-related diseases.