Determination of the Variability of Bioactive Compounds and Minerals in Olive Leaf along an Agronomic Cycle

Olive leaves are still considered waste in the oil industry; however, the leaves have a content of oleuropein and other bioactive compounds that gives them great potential to be transformed into by-products. The most appropriate moment along an agronomic cycle (November 2019 to October 2020) has been evaluated to take advantage of this potential of the olive leaves varieties of Picual, Cornicabra and Manzanilla. In addition, factors that affect the content of phenolic compounds such as absolute maximum and minimum temperatures, relative humidity, sunshine hours, rainfall, differential of temperatures and mineral nutrition have been studied. The results show that the pruning season was the best time to take advantage of the olive leaf due to its high oleuropein content, especially in Picual and Manzanilla. The variety was the factor that most affected all the phenolic compounds studied, while the absolute minimum temperature factor notably affected verbascoside. Particular mineral nutrients, such as Mg and Fe, turned out to be most useful for differentiating locations. The content of verbascoside and hydroxytyrosol was also affected by agronomic conditions (location/conventional or ecological).

Automated summary

The study found that the pruning season was the best time to take advantage of the high oleuropein content in olive leaves. Variety was the most crucial factor affecting phenolic compound content, while the absolute minimum temperature notably impacted verbascoside levels. Specific mineral nutrients proved to be useful for differentiating locations.