¹H NMR Metabolic Profiling of Apulian EVOOs: Fine Pedoclimatic Influences in Salento Cultivars Check Access

Differences in microclimatic, pedoclimatic and ecological conditions contribute to induce differences in taste and nutritional properties of the extra virgin olive oils (EVOO). EVOO beneficial effects on human health, such as the reduction of coronary heart disease risk factors, the prevention of several types of cancer and the modification of immune and inflammatory responses, are well known. In this study a metabolomic approach was applied to assess the potential effects of cultivar and cultivation area on samples of monovarietal extra virgin olive oils (Olea europaea L.). In this chapter the authors report on 93 authentic EVOO samples collected during the harvesting period 2012-2013 from different microareas of Salento, Lecce, Italy. ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and chemometrics (OPLS DA) were used to investigate potential differences of Salento EVOOs, originating from specific microareas, related to the chemical composition of major and minor components. OPLS-DA not only differentiates oils between monocultivars and blends but also according to other features such as the sea distance. Higher polyphenols and aldehydes content was found for EVOOs coming from coastal areas, as well as for saturated fatty acid content. On the contrary, higher polyunsaturated fatty acid content was found for samples coming from inner areas of Salento peninsula.