Characterization of monovarietal Argentinian olive oils from new productive zones

Quality characteristics (acidity, peroxide value, K (232), K (270), Delta K, oxidative stability index) and chemical data (antioxidant compound, fatty-acid, sterol, erythrodiol-uvaol, and wax compositions) were studied in monovarietal virgin-olive oil samples (2004-2005 harvests) from different regions of Argentina. The data obtained according to standard methods were compared with international quality and purity criteria. The total-polyphenol content ranged from 25 to 263 mg/kg, showing the highest values for Coratina and Arauco oils. The alpha-tocopherol content varied between 160 and 428 mg/kg; these values are generally stated to belong to good quality oils. Most of the samples from the new productive zones failed at least one purity criterion. Arbequina samples presented the highest deviations from the International Olive Oil Council criteria in fatty acids, waxes, and sterol percentages, indicating a poor adaptation of this cultivar to the agronomic medium and its sensibility to adverse climatic conditions. Principal component analysis revealed that the harvest-year influence was attributable to environmental factors.