Characterization and classification of Western Greek olive oils according to cultivar and geographical origin based on volatile compounds

J Chromatogr A. 2011 Oct 21;1218(42):7534-42. doi: 10.1016/j.chroma.2011.07.081. Epub 2011 Jul 30.

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to characterize and classify olive oils from Western Greece according to cultivar and geographical origin, based on volatile compound composition, by means of Linear Discriminant Analysis. A total of 51 olive oil samples were collected during the harvesting period 2007-2008 from six regions of Western Greece and from six local cultivars. Forty-five of the samples were characterized as extra virgin olive oils. The analysis of volatile compounds was performed by Headspace Solid Phase Microextraction-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC/MS). Fifty-three (53) different volatile compounds were tentatively identified and semi-quantified. Using selected volatile compound composition data (selection was based on the application of ANOVA to total volatiles to determine those variables showing substantial differences among samples of different geographical origin/cultivar), the olive oil samples were satisfactorily classified according to geographical origin (87.2%) and cultivar (74%).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Discriminant Analysis
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / methods
  • Greece
  • Olive Oil
  • Plant Oils* / analysis
  • Plant Oils* / chemistry
  • Plant Oils* / classification
  • Solid Phase Microextraction / methods
  • Volatile Organic Compounds / analysis*

Substances

  • Olive Oil
  • Plant Oils
  • Volatile Organic Compounds