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This study aimed to evaluate the influence of Capsicum baccatum L. Aji Angelo and Bishop crown cultivars to the quality parameters of flavoured olive oils (FOOs) obtained by the addition of both fresh and dried pepper powders (1%) to Dolce di Rossano and Roggianella monovarietal extra virgin olive oils (EVOOs). First, pepper extracts were investigated for their total phenolic, flavonoid, carotenoid content as well as phenolic acids, fatty acid profile, and vitamin C and E content. In order to evaluate the impact of both fresh and dried peppers on the oxidative stability of FOOs, the Rancimat test was applied. 2,2-Azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic) acid (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ?-carotene bleaching (B-CB) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays were used to investigate the antioxidant potential. Bishop crown dried extracts showed the highest phenolic, carotenoid and vitamin content, whereas Aji Angelo had the highest amount of capsaicinoids. Among EVOOs, Roggianella EVOO showed the highest antioxidant activity as well as the highest induction time (39.6 h). Remarkably, FOO obtained by the addition of Bishop crown dried pepper extract to Roggianella EVOO showed a higher induction time (44.9 h) with respect to the corresponding EVOO.

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is the main fat used in the Mediterranean diet. In this work, four monovarietal EVOOs from Calabria (South of Italy) namely Coratina, Ottobratica, Leccino, and Nocellara del Belice and Ottobratica from Calabria (Southern Italy) were investigated for their quality and CIELab parameters as well as antioxidant activity. Statistical significant differences were evidenced among investigated samples. Ottobratica EVOO showed the highest oxidative stability with a protective index (PI) of 29.52 h. This autochthonous cultivar was characterized by the highest total phenols content (452.44 mg of gallic acid/kg of oil) and α-tocopherol content (175.15 ppm) as well as the most promising antioxidant activity with a RACI value of − 0.18. Results evidenced that all the investigated Calabrian EVOOs are characterized by a good physico-chemical quality well within the limits indicated by the regulations issued by the European Union and by the International Olive Council for an EVOO and, also, by a promising healthy properties due their content in bioactive compounds.

Linear hydrocarbons such as n-alkanes and n-alkenes are contained in the unsaponifiable fraction and are one of the less studied class of components in olive oil. This work was conducted in two subsequent harvest seasons (2016–2017 and 2017–2018) and attentioned the oils of nine olive cultivars: Cassanese, Coratina, Itrana, Leccino, Nociara, Ottobratica, Pendolino, Picholine and Sinopolese grown in the same geographical area (Rizziconi) of the region of Calabria (South Italy). Seven out of the nine cultivars were allochthonous for the geographical area where the experiment was conducted. Height n-alkanes with odd-carbon chain number, seven n-alkanes with even-carbon chain number and three n-alkenes were detected in the following elution order: heneicosane, docosane, tricosene, tricosane, tetracosene, tetracosane, pentacosene, pentacosane, hexacosane, heptacosane, octacosane, nonacosane, triacontane, entriacontane, dotriacontane, tritriacontane, tetratriacontane, pentatriacontane. The cultivar variable produced very high significant differences, this was particularly evident for Sinopolese oil showing a total n-alkanes and n-alkenes content of 260 and 290 mg/kg respectively for the first and the second harvest season, whereas Ottobratica and Picholine oils contained less than 100 mg/kg and Cassanese and Itrana oils contained less than 50 mg/kg. The highest n-alkene content was found in the oil of Ottobratica 1.97–161 mg/kg, Picholine 2.34–1.99 mg/kg and in Sinopolese 1.93–2.91 mg/kg. The odd/even ratio was less than 3 for Picholine and Sinopolese and less than 5 for all other cultivars. Docosane was 12.30 and 17.61 mg/kg for Sinopolese and less than 2 mg/kg for all other cultivars. Harvest season did not influence significantly the n-alkanes and n-alkenes content.

Processing citrus fruits results in significant amount of wastes; however, citrus by-products still contain high amounts of polyphenolic and other bioactive value-added compounds. In addition, bergamot (Citrus bergamia) wastes contain two compounds—brutieridin and melitidin—which exhibit statin-like properties. Recently, novel fermented products containing bioactive compounds received increasing attention because of their health-promoting functions. In this study, the bioconversion of citrus wastes in vinegars with high content in bioactive and aromatic compounds was performed, detecting a high permanence at the end of the process of the main compounds of interest, especially brutieridin and melitidin. In addition, the sensory analysis of the vinegars was performed, obtaining good performances. According to the adopted preselection procedure, 50 out of the 54 strains of acetic acid bacteria were excluded because of their low aptitude to grow in the tested conditions. The best vinegar was produced from citrus wine at pH 2.90 using the Acetobacter aceti strain DSM_3508T as microbial starter. This research has demonstrated—for the first time—the possibility to produce citrus vinegar at high content of brutieridin and melitidin and other bioactive compounds using selected microbial starters.

Strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa cv. Cadonga) are highly perishable fruits with a storage life, which may be less than a week. In this study, Aloe arborescens gel was used as post‐harvest treatment in order to maintain strawberry quality. Strawberries coated with edible A. arborescens gel were packaged in a polypropylene box and stored. Fruit titratable acidity, pH, soluble solid content, ascorbic acid, total phenols, total flavonoids, total anthocyanins and antioxidant activity evaluated by two different tests (DPPH and ABTS) were measured during 14 days of storage. Significant differences were found (P

Packaging material and the storage temperature on red raspberries (Rubus idaeus L.) were studied in this paper. Raspberries were stored following their harvesting in different conditions: in the fridge at 1 °C and in the freezer at −20 °C, using different packaging materials: two Nanoactive films, Nanoactive A (NA) and Nanoactive B (NB), a biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film and some other fruits were stored without any film (WF). Biometrics, color, titratable acidity, soluble solid content and moisture, were determined during storage. A loss of weight (24.87%) was found during storage at room temperature from 5.02 g to 4.02 g in two days. During the freezer storage was found a significant average higher Solid Soluble Content (9.44 °Brix) in PET, a significant higher Titratable acidity (2.08%) in WF, and no significant differences between different packaging for Moisture content. The O2 and CO2 concentrations were measured daily in the refrigerated fruits and the O2 concentration on the 7th day was 5.0% (NA), 19.8% (NB) and 17.1 (PET). CO2 percentage increased significantly during storage in the NA package from 9.6 (1st day) to 20.3 (14th day), whereas an inverse trend was found in the NB package from 4.4 (1st day) to 1.0 (4th day).

Food consumers make decisions primarily on the basis of a product&rsquo, s nutritional, functional, and sensorial aspects. In this context, this study evaluated the persistence in sourdough of a multistrain starter culture from laboratory to bakery plant production and the effect of the starter on antioxidant and rheological properties of sourdoughs and derived bread. Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis B450, Leuconostoc citreum B435, and Candida milleri L999 were used as a multispecies starter culture to produce a sourdough subsequently used to modify two traditional sourdoughs to make novel bread with improved health and rheological properties. Both these novel bakery sourdoughs showed the persistence of L. sanfranciscensis B450 and C. milleri L999, and showed a significantly different lactic acid bacteria (LAB) concentration from the traditional sourdoughs. The novel sourdough PF7 M had a higher phenolic content (170% increase) and DPPH (8% increase) than the traditional bakery sourdough PF7 F. The novel sourdough PF9 M exhibited an improvement in textural parameters. Further research would be useful on the bioavailability of bio-active compounds to obtain bread with improved characteristics.

In the bergamot (Citrus bergamia) processing cycle, peel and juice are the main by-products. Considering their high content in bioactive and aromatic compounds, the aim of this study was to valorise them in the vinegar industry. The proposal constitutes a model system for the global citrus industry, to improve the commercial value of the citrus wastes. The bioconversion of four juice combinations (based on bergamot fruit peel or juice) in eight wines and, after random choice, in four vinegars was tested. The chemical composition of wines and vinegars was determined, detecting a high permanence of a majority of the compounds of interest. The sensory analysis of the four vinegars before and after an oxidation treatment was performed obtaining good performances.

Heating deteriorates the physicochemical properties of a vegetable oil for both edible and biofuel uses. The parameters for edible olive oil are established by European Union regulations and by the International Olive Council. The properties of a vegetable oil to be used as a source for biodiesel production are indicated by the German DIN 51605 for rapeseed oil. Biofuel properties are described by the European EN 14214 and the North American ASTM 6751 standards for biodiesel. It is useful to know how temperature and heating duration influence the physicochemical properties of olive oil. Free acidity, refractive index and myristic acid were not significantly influenced by temperature and heating duration. K232, K266, K270, K274, p-anisidine value, totox index, kinematic viscosity (at 30, 40, 50 °C), estimated higher heating value, relative density, and cetane number increased during olive oil heating. The biological properties: iodine value, oxidative stability index, antiradical (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical, DPPH∙) activity, and phenol content, decreased when time and temperature increased. Fatty acid methyl esters were highly influenced by the applied variables. Almost all the fatty acid methyl esters, except myristic, stearic, and arachidic acid esters, were influenced by the combined effect of temperature and time in a very highly significant level. These results show how temperature and duration of heating influence extra virgin olive oil degradation for both edible use and biodiesel production.

In this paper, the effect of the packaging material and storage method on red raspberries produced at Reggio Calabria (Italy) was studied. For this purpose, the fruits were stored immediately after harvest in different conditions: in the fridge at 1 &deg, C and in the freezer at &minus, 20 &deg, C, using different packaging materials, two new patented films (nanoactive A) and (nanoactive B), one common packaging film (polyethylene terephthalate), and other fruits were left without any packaging material. Chemical parameters were analysed at harvest to have the initial characteristics without any conditioned storage and to distinguish the post-harvest effect on the fruits, then daily for storage in the fridge and monthly for storage in the freezer. The aims of our project were first to determine the qualitative characterization of these red raspberries, the optimization of their shelf-life during time in the fridge or freezer, using the different types of packaging materials and finally to highlight the usefulness of the new patented packaging materials. Nanoactive A film showed the best shelf-life in the fridge, and after 14 days the values, given as mg/100 g fresh weight, were: total phenolics (166.70), monomeric anthocyanin content (50.82), flavonoids (24.64), ascorbic acid (32.42), and 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay (95.93).

Reggio Calabria province (South Italy) is known for being almost the only area of cultivation of the bergamot fruit, grown principally for its essential oil, but today much studied for the health benefits of its juice. The biometrics and physico-chemical properties of the three (Citrus bergamia Risso) existing genotypes namely Castagnaro, Fantastico and Femminello were studied during fruit ripening from October to March. Castagnaro cv had the biggest and heaviest fruit during this harvest period. °Brix (7.9-10.0), pH (2.2-2.8) and Formol number (1.47-2.37 mL NaOH 0.1N/100mL) were shown to be influenced by both the genotype and by the harvest date. Titratable acidity (34.98-59.50 g/L) and Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) (341-867 g/L) decreased during fruit ripening. The evolution of flavonoids such as neoeriocitrin, naringin, neohesperidin brutieridin and melitidin was studied both in bergamot juice and in the bergamot cloudy which is the aqueous extract of bergamot during fruit processing. Bergamot cloudy contained a higher quantity of flavonoids compared to the juice. This study gives important information regarding the cultivar and the harvest date for producers who want to obtain the highest juice quantity or the highest juice quality from the bergamot fruit.

n-Alkanes and n-alkenes are components of the unsaponifiable fraction of an olive oil. These were analysed by GC on-column analysis and are here proposed as an additional tool to certify the origin, authenticity, traceability and chemical quality of olive oil produced in the Reggio Calabria province (South Italy). Nine cultivars were studied: Cassanese, Coratina, Itrana, Leccino, Nociara, Ottobratica, Pendolino, Picholine and Sinopolese grown in the region of Calabria (South Italy). n-Alkanes in the range from 21 to 35 chain carbon atoms and alkenes in the range from 23:1 to 25:1 chain carbon atoms were found with the following elution order: heneicosane (C21), docosane (C22), tricosene (C23:1), tricosane (C23), tetracosene (C24:1), tetracosane (C24), pentacosene (C25:1), pentacosane (C25), hexacosane (C26), eptacosane (C27), octacosane (C28), nonacosane (C29), triacontane (C30), entriacontane (C31), dotriacontane (C32), tritriacontane (C33), tetratriacontane (C34), pentatriacontane (C35). The oil of all cultivars showed a decreasing trend in total n-alkane and n-alkene content, with the oil of Sinopolese showing the highest content, varying from 328.50 to 214.00 mg/kg. Odd-chain alkanes predominated over even-chain n-alkanes, and tricosane, tetracosane and pentacosane were the most represented alkanes. Cultivar and harvest date significantly influenced the n-alkane and n-alkene content. These findings can be useful to distinguish different olive cultivars and to decide the fruit harvest date for the oil of the Reggio Calabria province (South Italy). A daily quantity of 30 g of olive oil of the Sinoplese cv (the one with the highest n-alkane and n-alkene content) was found to be in accordance with the suggestions of the European Agency for the evaluation of medicinal products Committee for veterinary medicinal products and biogenic hydrocarbons intake for the human diet.

The aim of this research was to study the behaviour of 70 different Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains on the antioxidant compounds level in wines by RP-HPLC/DAD. Micro-winemaking was carried out in Cabernet Sauvignon grape must testing eight Italian wild strains, 12 derived monosporal cultures, 15 hybrids obtained by monosporal spore-to-spore conjugation, 34 monosporal cultures derived from the hybrids, and Zymaflore F15 as control strain. At the end of the winemaking, the wines show significant differences concerning their antioxidant levels in relation to the strain used. Catechin and epicatechin were the principal antioxidant compounds for all the samples. In particular, the catechin content varied from 0 to 79.53 mg/L, while epicatechin varied from 0 to 70.51 mg/L. The vanillic acid level varied from 3.10 to 12.71 mg/L. Gallic and caffeic acids varied, respectively, from 2.54 to 6.77 mg/L and from 0 to 10.63 mg/L. The rutin and quercetin content varied from 0 to 11.77 mg/L and from 0 to 2.09 mg/L, while trans-resveratrol level varied from 0 to 0.85 mg/L. Data validate the main role that wine yeast selection plays to enhance red wine content in antioxidant phenolic compounds.

Two important problems for the food industry are oil oxidation and oil waste after frying. Sunflower seed oil is one of the vegetable oils most commonly used in the food industry. Two variables were applied to the low oleic sunflower seed oil in this work i.e. heating temperature (180-210-240°C) and time of heating (15-30-60-120 minutes), to study from the edible point of view the variations of its physico-chemical properties. After 120 minutes heating at 240°C the following was found: refractive index (1.476), free acidity (0.35%), K232 (2.87), K270 (3.71), antiradical activity (45.90% inhibition), total phenols (523 mg kg-1), peroxide value (17.00 meq kg-1), p-anisidine value (256.8) and Totox (271.7), all of which showed a constant deterioration. In relation to the use as a feedstock for bio-diesel production, after 120 minutes heating at 240℃ the following was found: acid value 0.70 mg KOH g-1 oil, iodine value 117.83 g I2 100 g-1 oil, oil stability index 0.67 h, kinematic viscosity (at 40°C) 77.85 mm2 s-1, higher heating value 39.86 MJ kg-1, density 933.34 kg/m3 and cetane number 67.04. The parameters studied in this work were influenced, in different ways, by the applied variables. Heating temperature between 180 and 210°C and 120 min heating duration were found to be the most appropriate conditions for sunflower seed oil both from the deep frying point of view and from a subsequent use as feedstock for bio-diesel production. In light of the vegetable oils' International standards for an edible use and for a bio-diesel production, findings of this work can be used to set heating temperature and heating duration to preserve as long possible the physico-chemical properties of a low oleic sunflower seed oil for both its edible use as a fat during cooking and for its re-use after frying.

Juices from 15 citrus varieties (six oranges, one lemon, two grapefruit, three bergamot, one cedar, one mandarin and one chinotto) from Calabria (Italy) were investigated mainly on quality parameters, total flavonoids, total phenolic compounds, total anthocyanin, ascorbic acid and antioxidant capacity (ABTS and DPPH assay). Total phenolic compounds had highest values, ranging from 1.54 mg/mL and 1.43 mg/mL respectively for pink grapefruit (PG) and yellow grapefruit (YG), to 0.92 and 0.96 mg/mL for cedar (C) and mandarin (Ma) respectively. Total anthocyanins ranged from 0.31 μg/mL yellow grapefruit (YG) to 3.51 μg/mL tarocco (T). Total flavonoids ranged from 0.09 mg/mL tarocco (T) to 0.24 mg/mL castagnaro (BC). In general the three cultivars of bergamot (BFe, BC and BF) have the greatest amount of flavonoids. All the analysed samples exhibit a good content of bioactive compounds.

Bergamot (Citrus bergamia, Risso) grows exclusively in the province of Reggio Calabria (Southern Italy). Most part of this territory lies on by the Ionian or the Tyrrhenian sea, with over 700 kilometers of coastline, it has one of the highest values of heliophany in Italy and it is protected, from the Northern winds, by the Aspromonte mountain massif. Most part of the bergamot cultivation area is located between Scilla (West) and Monasterace (East) in a coastal strip with a width up to 12 km from the coast. Bergamot fruit is produced between November and March in relation to the geographical area. Over the last decades, environmental climate changes occurred also in this area. This phenomenon, together with new applied industrial processes may have influenced the bergamot essential oil composition. In addition, the modern analytical apparatus gives more detailed information. The aim of this review is to describe the evolution of studies on the volatile fraction of the bergamot peel essential oil over the years.

Terpenoids make up the biggest and most diversified class of chemical substances discovered in plants, encompassing over 40,000 individual compounds. In conifers, the production of terpenoids, either as oleoresin or emitted as volatile compounds, play an important role in the physical and chemical defence responses against pathogens and herbivores. In the present work, we examined, for the first time to the best of our knowledge, the terpenic defensive relations of Calabrian pine (Pinus nigra subsp. laricio (Poiret) Maire), facing the attack of the pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa (Denis and Schifferm&uuml, ller, 1775)), brought about in the open on adult plant individuals growing at two distinct forest sites. Among the volatile terpenoids emitted from pine needles, bornyl acetate [(4,7,7-trimethyl-3-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptanyl) acetate] was the most frequently and selectively associated with the infestation, increasing during the period of most intense trophic activity of the caterpillars (defoliation), and decreasing thereafter. Although further work is needed to clarify whether the observed response reflects defence reactions and/or they are involved in communication among the infested plants and their biotic environment, the present results boost the currently growing interest in the isolation and characterization of plant secondary metabolites that can be used to control pests, pathogens, and weeds.

The use of vegetable oil for biodiesel production as a renewable energy source can have five main goals: the reduction of dependence on fossil energy, the reduction of wastes, the increase of the economic value of fruits, the increase of the economic value of vegetable oils, and the reduction of total CO2 emissions. Tomato seeds could be used for biodiesel production. The influence of the hot break and cold break treatments together with the harvest year effect on the physicochemical properties of the tomato seed oil were studied. Relative density was within 928 ± 0.33, acid value ranged from 0.48 ± 0.07 to 2.50 ± 0.03. The oil stability index measured at 110°C was always above 6 h. Kinematic viscosity decreased with the increase of the temperature from 30 to 50°C, being similar to the value indicated by the DIN 51605 for rapeseed oil at 40°C (35.17 ± 020–41.35 ± 0.56 mm2/s). Eleven fatty acid were detected: myristic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, margaric acid, margaroleic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, arachidic acid, and eicosenoic acid. Linoleic acid prevailed on all fatty acid methyl esters (mono-alkyl esters) (49.61–57.89%) followed by oleic acid (18.79–21.82%). In the large part of cases, the iodine value was within the maximum of DIN 51605. Cetane number, calcium, and magnesium were out of the limit. International standards for biodiesel and vegetable oil quality standard were discussed. Practical applications: This study is related to the possibility of using an unusual vegetable oil as a source for biodiesel production. In this way, one can monetize a waste product (tomato seeds) and at the same time obtain a vegetable oil useful for biodiesel production. It is noteworthy that, at present, tomato seed oil is not used in the food industry so its use for biodiesel will not increase its price. In the tomato seed oil, the sum C18:1 + C18:2 is similar to an olive oil. All biodiesels produced by the studied TSOs have a CN well above 51.0 and 47.0 stated by the European and USA regulations for a biodiesel.

Soxhlet-petroleum ether extraction was used to obtain oil from tomato seeds. Three tomato cultivars from South Italy (Principe Borghese, Rebelion F1 and San Marzano) were studied. Policosanol is a mixture of long chain linear fatty alcohols (n-alkanols), its content and composition was found to be highly significantly influenced by cultivar. Seven fatty alcohols were detected: docosanol (C22-ol), tricosanol (C23-ol), tetracosanol (C24-ol), pentacosanol (C25-ol), hexacosanol (C26-ol), heptacosanol (C27-ol) and octacosanol (C28-ol). The highest policosanol content was found in Principe Borghese 71.88 mg/Kg. Octacosanol was the linear alcohol present in highest quantity, i.e. 38-42% of the total linear alcohols detected in tomato seed oils (TSO). Chemometrics was applied to study the differences among cultivars. The sum of even long chained fatty alcohols was always more than 95% of the total policosanol content. One-way ANOVA and principal component analysis well differentiated the three cultivars.

Extra virgin olive oil from Calabria Region (South Italy), pomace olive oil, palm oil and soybean oil were heated at 180 and 220 °C for 30, 60 and 120 min. Emission of volatile organic compounds produced during the heat treatment was evaluated by the solid phase micro-extraction of the head space technique and analysed by gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detector. The results after oil heating showed a significant variation in the volatile composition with temperature and time increasing. Twenty-five compounds have been identified, and alkanals, alkenals, and alkadienals were the most represented classes. Results from volatile profile evolution suggest that specific aldehyde compounds can be used as markers both for the evaluation of the organoleptic properties and for the health characteristics of the studied oils.

The wax ester composition of pressed olive oil and its variation during olive ripening were investigated by column chromatography/GC-on column technique. Six compounds were identified: C36, C38, C40, C42, C44 and C46 wax esters, which were grouped as total detected wax esters (TDWEs). The European Union (EU) includes C40, C42, C44 and C46 waxes (TEWEs) as a distinctive characteristic between different categories, with a maximum total content ≤250 mg/kg for an extra virgin olive oil. The International Olive Council (IOC) includes C42, C44 and C46 waxes (TIOCWEs) as a purity parameter, with a maximum total content ≤150 mg/kg for an extra virgin olive oil. The analytical technique proposed by EU and IOC do not separate the wax esters from fatty acids esters with diterpenic alcohols (phytol and geranylgeraniol) that interfere with detected peaks. Although the examined cultivars were grown in the same geographical area and the same agricultural practices were applied to the trees, ANOVA analysis found significant differences among the oils extracted with the same machinery. The oil produced from the Itrana cultivar showed the lowest content in TEWEs (25.00–39.00 mg/kg) and in TIOCWEs (5.67–9.00 mg/kg). Wax content in Leccino and Pendolino cultivars showed a significant tendency to decrease during olive maturation, and a tendency to increase in all other cultivars from the first to the last harvest date when olive pigmentation changed from green to black.

Reggio Calabria province (South Italy) is known for being almost the only area of cultivation of the bergamot fruit, grown principally for its essential oil, but today much studied for the health benefits of its juice. The biometrics and physico-chemical properties of the three (Citrus bergamia Risso) existing genotypes namely Castagnaro, Fantastico and Femminello were studied during fruit ripening from October to March. Castagnaro cultivar had the biggest and heaviest fruit during this harvest period. &deg, Brix (7.9&ndash, 10.0), pH (2.2&ndash, 2.8) and formol number (1.47&ndash, 2.37 mL NaOH 0.1 N/100 mL) were shown to be influenced by both the genotype and harvest date. Titratable acidity (34.98&ndash, 59.50 g/L) and vitamin C (ascorbic acid) (341&ndash, 867 g/L) decreased during fruit ripening. The evolution of flavonoids such as neoeriocitrin, naringin, neohesperidin, brutieridin and melitidin was studied both in bergamot juice and in the bergamot cloudy juice which is the aqueous extract of bergamot during fruit processing. Bergamot cloudy juice contained a higher quantity of flavonoids compared to the juice. This study gives important information regarding the cultivar and the harvest date for producers who want to obtain the highest juice quantity or the highest juice quality from the bergamot fruit.

Olive oils extracted from Italian cultivars in South West Calabria, Southern Italy were analyzed for their triglyceride composition, for three successive harvest years 2005‐2006‐2007. Three autochthonous cultivars from Calabria (Cassanese, Ottobratica and Sinopolese) and seven allochtonous cultivars (Coratina, Itrana, Leccino, Nocellara Messinese, Nociara, Pendolino and Picholine) were considered. All cultivars showed a trilinolein content � 0.10% of the total triglycerides, the equivalent carbon number42 (ECN42) content was always less than 0.75% of the total triglycerides. Triolein ranged from a minimumof28.60% � 2.12inNocellaraMessineseto amaximumof48.25% � 2.67foundinCoratina. This work demonstrates the presence of significant differences (ANOVA) for the different triglyceride compounds present in these olive oils, taking into consideration the cultivar and the harvest year. Practical applications: Practical applications for the study entitled “Influence of cultivar and harvest year on triglyceride composition of olive oils produced in Calabria (Southern Italy)” regard the possibility of knowing the triglyceridic composition of olive oil produced in South West Calabria (Southern Italy) from ten cultivars, three autochtonous from Calabria: Cassanese, Ottobratica and Sinopolese and seven allochtonous cultivars: Coratina, Itrana, Leccino, Nocellara Messinese, Nociara, Pendolino and Picholine. It is very important to understand if and how cultivar and harvest year influence the triglyceridic composition. In addition, the adaptability of the allochthonous cultivars in a different geographical context can be also evaluated by comparing olive oil triglyceride data between autochthonous and allochthonous cultivars.

With increasing concern for a demand from consumers for natural products, there is a wide interest in bioactive substances. The new frontier of dietary quality is the study and promotion of functional foods. Phenols are among the most important functional molecules. Red grape and red wine contain bioactive products as phenols. Changes occurring in the concentrations of phenols, such as hydroxycinnamic tartaric acids (hctas), flavonols, and anthocyanins in berry skins, were measured during growth and ripening of four red grape cultivars, Alicante, Black Malvasia, Nerello, and Prunesta (Vitis vinifera L.), cultivated in a coastal location of the Reggio Calabria Province (Southern Italy). These cultivars are the most popular and are considered to be the most suitable grape cultivars for cultivation in the Tyrrhenian side of the Reggio Calabria Province. Fractioning of three phenolic classes was conducted through the adsorbing resin Serdolit XAD-2. Each single phenolic fraction was analyzed by liquid chromatography with diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). Each cultivar presented a different chromatographic profile particularly for anthocyanins. The cultivar Nerello was distinguished from other for its high content of anthocyanins. The rate, at which the concentration of hctas, flavonols and anthocyanins increased, varied greatly among the cultivars. The hydroxycinnamic tartaric acid profile varied in the studied cultivars, in fact in Alicante, Black Malvasia and Prunesta cultivars, the predominant was trans-coumaroyl tartaric acid, while in Nerello cultivar, trans-caffeoyl tartaric acid was the most abundant. In addition, the results showed that amounts of phenolic compounds contained in grape skin changed throughout the grape ripening process.

Olive oils extracted from Italian cultivars grown in the Region of Calabria, Southern Italy were analyzed for their wax ester composition, for three successive harvest years. Three autochthonous cultivars from Calabria: Cassanese, Ottobratica, and Sinopolese and seven allochtonous cultivars: Coratina, Itrana, Leccino, Nocellara Messinese, Nociara, Pendolino, and Picholine were considered. This work demonstrates the presence of significant differences (ANOVA) for the different wax ester compounds present in these olive oils, taking into consideration the cultivar and the harvest year. The studied olive oils present a good wax ester composition according to both EU and IOC regulations. The cultivar Ottobratica showed the highest wax ester content, whereas Itrana presented the lowest content. Practical applications: Wax esters are naturally present on the drupe cuticle and are transferred into olive oil by means of mechanical extraction and especially by solvent extraction on an industrial scale. They are a legal parameter contained in the European Union regulation and in the International Olive Oil Council regulation. Wax esters are a quality indicator for olive oil evaluation, especially to detect a fraudulent admixture of pomace olive oil in labeled extra virgin olive oil or in labeled monocultivar extra virgin olive oil. The adaptability of allochthonous cultivars in a different geographical area is also

Sesame seeds are an excellent food and non-food raw material, for which there is a consolidated deficit in Italy and in other European Union countries. For this reason, a 2-years experiment was conducted in Sicily to compare the agronomic performance (phenology, morphological and productive traits) and grain quality (oil and its main constituents, protein of defatted flour, fibre) of three landraces, one of Turkish origin and two Sicilian (“Ispica” and “Modica”), and two improved varieties (‘Pachequino’ and ‘Yori 77’). The landraces evidenced earliness (115 days) and the greater height of insertion of first capsule (0.52 m), whereas the variety ‘Pachequino’ was the most productive (3.5 t ha−1). Turkish and “Ispica” landraces and ‘Yori 77’ variety provided seeds with greater lipid (54 %, on average) and protein contents (44 % on defatted flour, on average). ‘Pachequino’ and both Sicilian landraces produced seeds richer in fibre fractions. As regard to oil quality, the oleic acid/linoleic acid was found balanced (about 1) for Turkish landrace, and it decreased for the other cultivars reaching the lowest value for ‘Pachequino’. “Modica” had higher quantity of unsaponifiable matter (1.98 %) in the oil, whereas ‘Yori 77’ had the maximum concentration of phytosterols (5532.8 mg kg−1). Policosanol fraction prevailed in oil of “Ispica” (205.8 mg kg−1). Moreover, there was variability in the fatty acid, sterol and policosanol compositions with differences among the cultivars. Research provide information to exploit sesame within agrosystems under Mediterranean climates, and may be a starting point for breeding activity to enhance crop productivity and grain quality.

The effects of packaging on the maintenance of the quality of oranges (cultivar Belladonna) were studied. The oranges were stored at 6°C and 80% relative humidity for 45 days, wrapped in biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), nanoactive films, or nonwrapped in crates. The physical-chemical characteristic and the bioactive compounds were evaluated in the juice at intervals of 15 days. Oranges preserved in the nanoactive film have a greater shelf-life both for the organoleptic characteristics of the fruit after 45 days of conservation, and for the content of biologically active compounds: The concentration of total flavonoids, total polyphenols, and ascorbic acid is greater than that obtained from oranges preserved in BOPP films and crates. This behavior is certainly due to the characteristics of the nanoactive film that, unlike other films on the market, has the ability to retain a greater amount of ethylene produced during respiration of the fruit. Furthermore, oranges stored in plastic crates showed mold development after 15 days, after 30 days for fruit wrapped in BOPP film, but only after 45 days in nanoactive film. Practical applications Citrus fruits are an important source of bioactive compounds such as ascorbic acid, carotenoids, flavonoids, flavanone glycosides, and phenolic compounds: All potentially health-promoting. The use of plastic films for wrapping citrus fruits can be beneficial in maintaining freshness during postharvest storage.

In food industry, Olive Oil Mill Wastewater (OOMWW) is considered a by-product because of the presence of biostatic compounds with a high polluting rate, in particular phenols. Moreover, during olive oil processing, a large amount of this by-product constitutes an ecological and economical problem for the producers. To reevaluate this by-product, the reuse of this wastewater to obtain useful compounds appears to be very important. In order to purify the wastewater, the development of operations that modify its organic content seems necessary for obtaining of eventual fertilizing agents and/or to recover substances with a high added value such as phenolic compounds, which are currently recognized scientifically as molecules with a high antioxidant activity. A chromatographic analysis of these compounds was conducted to characterize different concentrations of wastewater and the reducing power of the extracts was measured. The thermal treatment of olive oil mill wastewater in a rotary evaporator and in an oven involved an increase in radical scavenging efficiency. These results could be correlated with the possibility of recovering and reusing this type of waste for its antioxidant properties.En la industria alimentaria, el alpechín se considera un subproducto debido a la presencia de compuestos bioestáticos, con una alta tasa de contaminación, particularmente los fenoles. Además, durante el procesado de la aceituna, la generación de una gran cantidad de este subproducto supone un problema ecológico y económico para los productores. Es importante la reutilización de este agua de desecho para obtener compuestos útiles. Para purificar el agua de desecho es necesario el desarrollo de operaciones que modifiquen su contenido orgánico, para poder obtener agentes fertilizantes y/o recuperar sustancias con un alto valor añadido como los compuestos fenólicos, que actualmente están reconocidos científicamente como moléculas con una elevada actividad antioxidante. Se realizó un análisis cromatográfico de dichos compuestos para caracterizar las diferentes concentraciones en el alpechín, y posteriormente se determinó el poder reductor de los extractos. El tratamiento térmico del alpechín en rotavapor y en estufa incrementó la eficiencia en la captura de radicales. Estos resultados pueden correlacionarse con la posibilidad de recuperar y reutilizar este tipo de desecho debido a sus propiedades antioxidantes.

Sunflower has potential in Mediterranean farming systems because of the modest auxiliary input requirement, appreciable productivity and quality of raw material. These aspects are affected by the interactions among genetic, environmental and agronomic factors, which have not been fully explored. Therefore, the effects of four water regimes as proportion of crop evapotranspiration (0%, 33%, 67%, 100%) on grain yield and its components, oil yield and grain lipid constituents, i.e. fatty acids (FAs), unsaponifiable matter (UM), phytosterol (Phy), policosanol (PC) and tocopherol (Toc) fractions of a standard and an oleic sunflower hybrids were assessed in a 2-year field experiment. The relationships between crop productive traits and oil quality features were also analysed. In general, as the water supply (WS) increased grain yield and related traits as well as achene's lipid synthesis and oil yield of each genotype (G) were positively affected. Conversely, the significant WS × G interaction found for the grain lipid composition indicated that the hybrids responded to different water treatments by modifying the proportions of major FAs as well as the UM and its total Phy, PC and Toc concentrations, with non-univocal percentage changes of their respective compounds. An increase of the unsaturation ratio of oil occurred when water (rainfall + irrigation) input increased, although at different level for each hybrid according to their genetic constitution. Because of the influence of warm climatic conditions, standard hybrid provided oil with an oleic–linoleic acid balance similar to that of mid-oleic typology. Within the oil UM, which contains also bioactive metabolites involved in the resistance of the plant to various abiotic constrains, total Phy concentration increased and total PC concentration decreased as the water (rainfall + irrigation) input was reduced, but to a different extent in the two hybrids. The most effective combinations of studied treatments for total Toc concentration were standard hybrid irrigated at both 33% and 67% of ETc replacement and oleic hybrid without irrigation. The results suggest that growing sunflower in a water-limited Mediterranean-type environment is possible to produce satisfactory grain and oil yields with an appropriate use of irrigation. Some oil quality characteristics suitable for different industrial uses could also be achieved by a combination of WS with standard or oleic typology of sunflower hybrids.

Olive fruit and its oil are in great demand due to its nutritional value, which can be influenced by the pre-and post-harvest factors. The pre-and post-harvest factors are discussed in this article in an effort to recognize as being and investigate the ultimate effect of these factors on the olive fruit and its oil composition. Genetic, agronomic and environmental factors influence olive fruits and olive oil composition. The olive cultivar influences fruit weight, olive oil content, fatty acids, peroxide value, esters, volatile compounds and fatty alcohol content. Chlorophyll content, carotenoids, flavor and volatile compounds vary depending upon geographical area of origin. Environmental conditions have an effect on enzymes, oil composition, fatty acids, microbial activity, esters, flowering, growth and development, ripening rate, insect activity and susceptibility or resistance to diseases. Tree age has an impact on phenol content of olive oil. The boron, nitrogen, potassium, salinity and zinc treatments have an influence on the olive fruit and its oil composition. In addition, the ripening degree, harvesting time has enforcement on olive oil content. Leaf removal and washing of the fruit promote the purity of the olive oil for both chemical and sensorial aspects. A not prolonged fruit crushing together with a not prolonged paste malaxation at a temperature below 27 °C increase the sensory and physicochemical qualities of olive oil. Inappropriate oil extraction promotes the off-flavors in the olive oil. Dark storage helps to retain the chemical and sensorial olive oil quality. The oil quality degrades toward the inside of cooking temperature.

The transesterification of triglycerides contained in waste oilseed fruits with methanol has been studied in heterogeneous/homogeneous systems using acid and base catalysts. The acid catalysts (strong acid catalysts: USY, BEA, FAU-X, and weak acid catalysts: MCM-41 and ITQ-6 with Si/Al = ∞) were prepared by hydrothermal synthesis procedures. In order to obtain acid–base catalysts, potassium was loaded on different materials by ionic exchange (obtaining K-MCM-41, K-ITQ-6,). XRD, ICP-MS, IR after CO and CO2 adsorption, thermal analyses and N2 adsorption/desorption techniques have been used for catalysts characterization. The highest triglycerides conversion and biodiesel yield values were achieved by K-ITQ-6 catalysts, after 24 h of reaction at 180 °C. Deactivation of this catalyst occurs for potassium leaching, but its regeneration and reuse are feasible and easy to perform. A possible continuous biodiesel production process has been proposed.

As a result of a recent ad hoc prospection of the Algerian territory, a collection of peanut (groundnut; Arachis hypogaea L.) landraces was established, covering a remarkable array of diversity in terms of morphological and physiological features, as well as of adaptation to local bioclimatic conditions. In the present work, the oils extracted from the seeds of these landraces were evaluated in terms of edible properties and suitability for biodiesel production. As for edible use, a low free acidity (ranging from 0.62 to 1.21%) and a high oleic acid content (44.61-50.94%) were common features, although a poor stability to oxidation [high peroxide values, high spectrophotometric indices, and low % of inhibition in the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH)· test] was observed in a few cases. As for biodiesel production, low values of acidity [1.23-2.40 mg KOH (g oil)(-1)], low iodine values [90.70-101.54 g I2 (g oil)(-1)], high cetane numbers (56.95-58.88) and high calorific values (higher heating value 37.34-39.27 MJ kg(-1)) were measured. Edible properties and suitability for biodiesel production were discussed with respect to the German standard DIN 51605 for rapeseed oil and to the EN 14214 standard, respectively. One way ANOVA and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis showed significant differences among the oils from the Algerian peanut landraces.

A Solid-Phase Microextraction method for the Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry analysis of blackberry (Rubus sp.) volatiles has been fully optimized by means of a Box-Behnken experimental design. The optimized operating conditions (Carboxen/Polydimethylsiloxane fiber coating, 66 °C, 20 min equilibrium time and 16 min extraction time) have been applied to the characterization for the first time of the volatile composition of Rubus ulmifolius Schott blackberries collected in Italy and Spain. A total of 74 volatiles of different functionality were identified; esters and aliphatic alcohols were the predominant classes in both sample types. Methylbutanal (2.02-25.70%), ethanol (9.84-68.21%), 2,3-butanedione (2.31-14.71%), trans-2-hexenal (0.49-17.49%), 3-hydroxy-2-butanone (0.08-7.39%), 1-hexanol (0.56-16.39%), 1-octanol (0.49-10.86%) and methylbutanoic acid (0.53-21.48%) were the major compounds in most blackberries analyzed. Stepwise multiple regression analysis of semiquantitative data showed that only two variables (ethyl decanoate and ethyl acetate) were necessary for a successful differentiation of blackberries according to their harvest location.

In the tomato juice and sauce industries, tomatoes are submitted to a hot break or a cold break thermal treatment. Tomato seed is considered waste but could become an important source of edible oil. A 3-year study was conducted. The studied properties were free acidity (max 1.26%), peroxide value (max 6.14 meq O2/kg oil), p-anisidine value (0.40–13.45), Totox (3.85–24.68), saponification value (187.84–198.90), total phenols (212–532 mg/kg), and refractive index (1.4707–1.4723). DPPH· was always higher than 70%. Essential fatty acids were higher than 56% of the total fatty acid methyl ester composition content. Total sterols ranged from 1,546 to 2,077 mg/kg. Policosanol were higher on 2014 harvest year. The low free acidity, peroxide value, spectrophotometric characteristics, the high phenol content, and radical scavenging activity values suggest that tomato seed oil is potentially edible. Hot break and cold break treatments did not significantly influence the physicochemical properties and the cold break is recommended because cheaper. Practical applications This study gives information about the effect on the physicochemical properties of the tomato seed oil as a food after cold break and hot break treatments. In addition, it is evidenced how the harvest year influences these parameters.

A study was conducted on olive oils extracted from olives collected in South West Calabria (Southern Italy) over three harvest years 2010-2011-2012. Three autochthonous cultivars were considered: Cassanese, Ottobratica and Sinopolese and seven allochtonous cultivars: Coratina, Itrana, Leccino, Nocellara Messinese, Nociara, Pendolino and Picholine. Thin Layer Chromatography - Gas Chromatograph (TLC-GC) technique permitted the separation and analysis of the fatty alcohol compounds. A general decline in fatty alcohol content was found during the three months of sampling, most evident in hexacosanol. Pendolino showed the greatest decline. A less evident decrease was measured in the odd chained fatty alcohols, mainly in heptacosanol. Both harvest date and cultivar significantly influenced the fatty alcohol content. This is the first report about the fatty alcohol variation during ripening in olive oil produced in South West Calabria (Southern Italy).

Statistical analysis has been used for the first time to evaluate the dispersion of quantitative data in the solid-phase microextraction (SPME) followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of blackberry (Rubus ulmifolius Schott) volatiles with the aim of improving their precision. Experimental and randomly simulated data were compared using different statistical parameters (correlation coefficients, Principal Component Analysis loadings and eigenvalues). Non-random factors were shown to significantly contribute to total dispersion; groups of volatile compounds could be associated with these factors. A significant improvement of precision was achieved when considering percent concentration ratios, rather than percent values, among those blackberry volatiles with a similar dispersion behavior. As novelty over previous references, and to complement this main objective, the presence of non-random dispersion trends in data from simple blackberry model systems was evidenced. Although the influence of the type of matrix on data precision was proved, the possibility of a better understanding of the dispersion patterns in real samples was not possible from model systems. The approach here used was validated for the first time through the multicomponent characterization of Italian blackberries from different harvest years. © 2014 Elsevier B.V.

Edible oils are desterolized in order to render them “undetectable” when admixed to other oils. Such frauds remain, however, detectable by the olefinic degradation products of the sterols: the degradation products approximately have the composition of the sterols they originate from. Presence of campestatriene (degraded brassicasterol) reveals the presence of desterolized rapeseed oil. The ratio of the degradation products of sitosterol and campesterol is a sensitive indicator for desterolized sunflower, soybean, palm, or grapeseed oil in oils of low campesterol content, such as olive and walnut oil. Analyses were performed by on-line coupled LC-GC. Der Nachweis von Verfalschungen mit desterolisierten Speiseolen Speiseole werden desterolisiert, um sie bei Zumischungen “unsichtbar” werden zu lassen. Derartige Falschungen sind aber uber die olefinischen Zersetzungsprodukte der Sterine erkennbar: Diese haben ungefahr die gleiche Zusammensetzung wie die Sterine, woraus sie sich gebildet haben. Die Gegenwart von Campestatrien (aus Brassicasterin) last auf desterolisiertes Rapsol schliesen. Das Verhaltnis der Zersetzungsprodukte von Sitosterin und Campesterin ist ein empfindlicher Indikator fur die Zumischung von desterolisiertem Sonnenblumen-, Soja-, Palm- oder Traubenkernol zu Olen mit niedrigem Campesteringehalt, wie Oliven- und Walnusol. Die Zersetzungsprodukte wurden mittels on-line LC-GC analysiert.

The n-alkane composition of Avocado pulp oil (cv. Hass) was investigated during fruit ripening. Three samples of fruit were harvested on March 3, 2003, March 18, 2003 and April 2, 2003. Glass gravity column chromatography was employed to separate n-alkanes from other minor components contained in the unsaponifiable fraction. Gas chromatography was used to analyze the eluate. Fourteen compounds were detected ranging from n -C 21 to n -C 34 ; mainly n -C 24 , followed by n -C 25 and then by n -C 23 . Quantities of n -C 21 , n -C 22 , n -C 23 , n -C 27 and n -C 28 progressively increased during ripening, whereas n -C 24 , n -C 25 , n -C 26 , n -C 29 , n -C 30 and n -C 34 decreased from the first harvest date to the third harvest date. While odd-numbered carbon n-alkanes increased (52.38 %, 52.85 % and 53.06 % for the three samples respectively), even-numbered carbon n-alkanes decreased as the fruit ripened (47.62 %, 47.15 % and 46.94 %). The total n-alkane content decreased during ripening, from 25.20 mg/Kg (first harvest date) to 16.77 mg/Kg (third harvest date). In order to minimize.

The fatty alcohol (FAL) composition of olive oils produced in Southwest Calabria (Southern Italy) was analyzed over three harvest years 2005–2006–2007. Three autochthonous cultivars: Cassanese, Ottobratica, Sinopolese and seven allochtonous cultivars: Coratina, Itrana, Leccino, Nocellara Messinese, Nociara, Pendolino and Picholine were considered. Hexacosanol was always the main FAL occurring in the olive oil. The autochthonous cultivars were among those with the highest total FAL contents. Nevertheless, both autochthonous and allochthonous cultivars produced olive oil within the limit indicated by EU and IOC regulations. Cultivar affected the FAL content highly significantly or very highly significantly, whereas in a large part of the cases the harvest year did not influence the FAL content. Cultivar x harvest year influenced highly significantly or very highly significantly only C22-OH, C23-OH, C24-OH, C25-OH, odd chain FALs and the ratio even chain/odd chain FALs.Se ha analizado, durante tres cosechas 2005–2006–2007, la composición de alcoholes grasos (FAL) de aceites de oliva producidos en el suroeste de Calabria (sur de Italia). Se consideraron tres cultivares autóctonos: Cassanese, Ottobratica y Sinopolese y siete alóctonas: Coratina, Itrana, Leccino, Nocellara Messinese, Nociara, Pendolino y Picholine. Hexacosanol fue siempre el principal FAL en los aceites de oliva. Los cultivares autóctonos se encuentran entre los de mayor contenido total de FAL. No obstante, ambos cultivares, autóctonos y alóctonos producen aceites de oliva dentro de los límites de los reglamentos de la UE y del COI. Los cultivares afectan de manera altamente significativa o muy significativa al contenido de FAL, mientras que el año de cosecha no influyó en el contenido de FAL. Cultivar x año de cosecha influye de manera altamente significativa o muy significativa sobre C22-OH, C23-OH, C24-OH, C25-OH, al total de alcoholes grasos de cadena impar y a la relación: FALs cadena par/FALcadena impar.

Recognition of adulteration by other oils via direct analysis of the minor components (“sterol fraction”) is shown for olive oil. 10 % of various oils were admixed, the free alcohols silylated and the minor components analyzed by on-line coupled LC-GC-FID. For most oils, even smaller additions can be recognized. Admixed oils can no longer be determined, however, if their minor components have been removed by strong raffination. Bleaching of rapeseed oil with 7% of earth at 180 °C, in fact, completely removed free and esterified sterols.

Giuffre A.M., Louadj L. (2013): Influence of crop season and cultivar on sterol composition of monovarietal olive oils in Reggio Calabria (Italy). Czech J. Food Sci., 31: 256–263. Sterol composition was studied for three successive crop seasons in some olive oils extracted from Italian cultivars grown in Reggio Calabria Province, Southern Italy. Three autochthonous cultivars from Calabria Region: Cassanese, Ottobratica, and Sinopolese and seven allochthonous cultivars: Coratina, Itrana, Leccino, Nocellara Messinese, Nociara, Pendolino, and Picholine were investigated. The studied olive oils showed an acceptable sterol composition in accordance with either the European Union or International Olive Oil Council regulations. The Picholine cultivar showed the highest content of total sterol, β-sitosterol, chlerosterol, campesterol, and of cholesterol. The contents of Δ5-avenasterol, Δ5,24-stigmastadienol, 24-methylene-cholesterol, and Δ7-avenasterol were high in Nociara cultivar, whereas Pendolino cultivar had the highest content of sitostanol and Sinopolese cultivar gave the highest content of stigmasterol. Results confirmed the existing significant differences (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01) in the cultivar, crop season, and crop season × cultivar.