Study on Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Quality Evaluation by Anti-Radical Activity, Color Analysis, and Polyphenolic HPLC-DAD Analysis

This study aimed to evaluate the quality of oils available on the Italian market and purchased directly from the mill or in the supermarket and labelled as extra virgin olive oils (EVOOs). As one of the most relevant foods of the Mediterranean diet and recognized as a functional food if regularly consumed, the quality of EVOO needs to be continuously monitored. Different analytical protocols were applied. The spectrophotometric parameters used to classify the extra virgin olive oils-a CIEL*a*b*color analysis and the quali-quantitative analysis of bioactive molecules by HPLC-DAD detection and the anti-radical activity, by the DPPH method, were evaluated and compared among the samples. This study confirmed a very high variation in terms of quality, both in oils purchased directly from mills throughout Italy, but also in oils labeled as 100% of Italian origin. Due to the high variability reconfirmed in the monitored samples, it is necessary to carry out a capillary control, not limited only to the parameters indexed by law. A useful complementary method could be represented by reflectance colorimetric analysis.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the quality of oils labeled as extra virgin olive oils purchased on the Italian market, finding a high variation in quality among samples. It emphasized the need for comprehensive monitoring and control due to the variability observed in the samples.