Physicochemical Characteristics and Antioxidant Potential of the Greek PDO and PGI Virgin Olive Oils (VOOs)

The present review covers advancements in registered PDO/PGI VOOs in Greece per year and administrative region since 1992, when the first regulation for protection of geographical origin products was issued in the European Union. Evidence for quality, purity, and nutritional characteristics is presented and discussed. Most PDOs are coming from Crete and Peloponnese, the two major olive oil producing areas in Greece. PGI products have also been registered in Greece since 1992, whereas such products are registered in Italy and Spain rather recently. From the point of view of food science, the documents submitted originally for the registration, which are available electronically in the relevant EU portal (DOOR), look outdated and may confuse potential buyers and consumers. Data available for the major Greek cultivar, Koroneiki, cannot always support integrity of products traded in the international market. There are published data for molecular characteristics of almost all cultivars used in the PDO/PGIs that can be used in the certification process. The potential of Koroneiki and other cultivars in antioxidants is not reported in the official documents, though such a piece of information may increase further the added value of these products (e.g., health claim labeling). Similar are the observations from practices in Spain and Italy. Practical Application: PDO/PGI VOOs are popular products among consumers. A positive perspective in the market is expected, granted that the consumer will be properly informed on their intrinsic characteristics and practices that guarantee their authenticity. The review points out that the data for quality, purity, and nutritional characteristics of Greek registered VOOs are limited, and are mainly available for PDOs. It is also pointed out that molecular markers available nowadays and addition of information on natural antioxidants can assist the efforts to protect the integrity of these products in the market and add value because some of them can also bear health claims for their tocopherol and polyphenol content.