Influence of Two Innovative Packaging Materials on Quality Parameters and Aromatic Fingerprint of Extra-Virgin Olive Oils

The performance of two innovative packaging materials was investigated on two Sardinian extra-virgin olive oils (Nera di Gonnos and Bosana). In particular, a transparent plastic film loaded with a UV-blocker (packaging B) and a metallized material (packaging C) were compared each other and to brown-amber glass (packaging A). During accelerated shelf-life tests at 40 and 60 degrees C, the evolution of quality parameters (i.e., acidity, peroxide value, K-270, and phenolic content) was monitored, together with the aromatic fingerprint evaluated by electronic nose. Packaging B resulted in the best-performing material in protecting oil from oxidation, due to its lower oxygen transmission rate (0.1 +/- 0.02 cm(3)/m(2) 24 h) compared to packaging C (0.23 +/- 0.04 cm(3)/m(2) 24 h). At the end of storage, phenolic reduction was on average 25% for packaging B and 58% for packaging C, and the aromatic fingerprint was better preserved in packaging B. In addition, other factors such as the sanitary status of the olives at harvesting and the storage temperature were demonstrated to have a significant role in the shelf life of packaged extra-virgin olive oil.

Automated summary

The study found that the transparent plastic film loaded with a UV-blocker performed the best in protecting the oil from oxidation, due to its lower oxygen transmission rate compared to metallized material.