Effect of agronomical practices on carpology, fruit and oil composition, and oil sensory properties, in olive (Olea europaea L.).
We examined whether some agronomical practices (i.e. organic vs. conventional) affect olive fruit and oil composition, and oil sensory properties. Fruit characteristics (i.e. fresh and dry weight of pulp and pit, oil content on a fresh and dry weight basis) did not differ. Oil chemical traits did not differ except for increased content of polyphenols in the organic treatments, and some changes in the acidic composition. Sensory analysis revealed increased bitterness (both cultivars) and pungency (Frantoio) and decreased sweetness (Frantoio) in the organic treatment. Fruit metabolomic analysis with HRMAS-NMR indicated significant changes in some compounds including glycocholate, fatty acids, NADPH, NADP+, some amino acids, thymidine, trigonelline, nicotinic acid, 5,6-dihydrouracil, hesanal, cis-olefin, β-D-glucose, propanal and some unassigned species. The results suggest that agronomical practices may have effects on fruit composition that may be difficult to detect unless a broad-spectrum analysis is used.
Consiglio per la Ricerca e la sperimentazione in Agricoltura - Centro di Ricerca per l'olivicoltura e l'industria olearia, CRA-OLI, Via Nursina 2, 06049 Spoleto, PG, Italy. Electronic address: adolfo.rosati@entecra.it.
Adolfo
A
Rosati
Consiglio per la Ricerca e sperimentazione in Agricoltura - Centro di ricerca per lo studio delle relazioni fra pianta e suolo, CRA-RPS, Strada della Neve, S.P. Pascolare Km 1, Monterotondo, 00015 Roma, Italy.
Caterina
C
Cafiero
Consiglio per la Ricerca e la sperimentazione in Agricoltura - Centro di Ricerca per l'olivicoltura e l'industria olearia, CRA-OLI, Via Nursina 2, 06049 Spoleto, PG, Italy.
Andrea
A
Paoletti
Agenzia Servizi Settore Agroalimentare Marche, ASSAM, Via dell'Industria 1, 60027 Osimo, AN, Italy.
Barbara
B
Alfei
Consiglio per la Ricerca e la sperimentazione in Agricoltura - Centro di Ricerca per l'olivicoltura e l'industria olearia, CRA-OLI, Via Nursina 2, 06049 Spoleto, PG, Italy.
Silvia
S
Caporali
Consiglio per la Ricerca e sperimentazione in Agricoltura - Centro di ricerca per lo studio delle relazioni fra pianta e suolo, CRA-RPS, Strada della Neve, S.P. Pascolare Km 1, Monterotondo, 00015 Roma, Italy.
Lorena
L
Casciani
Consiglio per la Ricerca e sperimentazione in Agricoltura - Centro di ricerca per gli alimenti e la nutrizione, CRA-NUT, Via Ardeatina 546, 00178 Roma, Italy.
Massimiliano
M
Valentini
D000383:Agriculture / Q000379:methods*; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000032:analysis; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry / Q000254:growth & development; D005947:Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D031658:Olea / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000254:growth & development; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry*; D013649:Taste
D000596:Amino Acids; D005227:Fatty Acids; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils; D005947:Glucose
Conventional; Frantoio; HRMAS-NMR; Leccino; Olea europaea; Olive; Organic; PLS-DA