Abstract

Studies on flavor profiles of virgin olive oil (VOO) are becoming more and more numerous. The VOO aromas are determined by a mixture of chemicals in olive oil, which influence its quality. Various studies around the world have shown that the volatile compounds in VOO depend on the climate, cultivation and process.

The present work is a first approach to compare volatile profiles of VOO largely produced in eastern of Morocco after 6 months of storage at ambient temperature in darkness. Oxidative stability measured by Rancimat method at 101C was also determined. VOO volatile profiles were examined using the solid-phase micro extraction fibre method (SPME) in conjunction with gas chromatography/mass spectrometer (GC/ MS). 84 volatile compounds were identified; they belong to various chemical classes, such as aldehydes, alcohols, esters, ketones, carboxylic acids and hydrocarbons. The main volatile compounds present in olive oil samples were compounds with 6 carbon atoms (C6) such as Hexanal, (E)-hex-2-enal, Z-3-Hexen-1-ol and 1-Hexanol. Ethanol and Z-3, 7-dimethyl-1, 3, 6-octatriene, methyl acetate and ethyl acetate were also found. In general, these compounds have been identified in all VOO analyzed samples. The chemical compositions of the analyzed virgin olive oil headspaces evidenced that the most representative compounds In Isly and Kenine were carboxylic acids accounted for 59.24%-49.7% respectively, whereas the volatile fraction of the oil from Achajara almoubaraka showed significantly higher amounts of the alcohols (46%). Concerning oxidative stability, Isly and Kenine OO, have lower stability values compared to Achajara almoubaraka. Their potential oxidative susceptibility is therefore much higher than Achajara almoubaraka.

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