Phytochemical Characterization of Olea europaea L. Cultivars of Cilento National Park (South Italy) through NMR-Based Metabolomics

Olea europaea germplasm is constituted by a huge number of cultivars, each one characterized by specific features. In this context, endemic cultivars evolved for a very long period in a precise local area, developing very specific traits. These characteristics include the production and accumulation of phytochemicals, many of which are also responsible for the nutraceutical value of the drupes and of the oils therefrom. With the aim of obtaining information on the phytochemical profile of drupes of autochthonous cultivars of Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park, a metabolomics-based study was carried out on 19 selected cultivars. Multivariate data analysis of H-1-NMR data and 2D NMR analyses allowed the rapid identification of metabolites that were qualitatively and/or quantitatively varying among the cultivars. This study allowed to identify the cultivars Racioppella, Guglia, Pizzulella, Oliva amara, and Racioppa as the richest in health-promoting phenolic compounds. Furthermore, it showed a significant variability among the different cultivars, suggesting the possibility of using metabolic fingerprinting approaches for cultivar differentiation, once that further studies aimed at assessing the influence of growing conditions and environmental factors on the chemical profiles of single cultivars are carried out.

Automated summary

The Olea europaea germplasm is formed by numerous cultivars, each with distinct features, especially endemic cultivars which have developed specific traits over a long period. A metabolomics-based study identified certain local cultivars rich in health-promoting phenolic compounds through data analysis and NMR analyses, showing significant variability among different cultivars. Further studies on the influence of growing conditions and environmental factors on chemical profiles may lead to cultivar identification using metabolic fingerprinting approaches.