Biochemical and Pomological Variability of Several Autochthonous Olive Cultivars Grown in Algeria.

This work aimed to characterise the morphological traits of olives and physico-chemical of oil issued from 10 endemic cultivars harvested in the north-east of Algeria. The pomological parameters of the fruits showed a very significant difference (p < 0.0001) between the studied cultivars. Quality indices indicated that olive oil varieties belong to the extra virgin and virgin categories. Highly significant differences (p < 0.0001) were noted between the 10 varieties studied for the analytical parameters examined (fatty acid composition, total phenol, chlorophyll, and carotenoid content). Boughenfous showed the highest values in oleic acid with (75.15%) and in total phenols with 435.88 (mg of Gallic acid/kg of olive oil). Phenolic compounds (hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, oleocanthal, total phenolic compounds) have shown important differences between varieties. The principal component analysis carried out on the profile of total fatty acids distinguishes 5 groups, group 2 and 3 proved to be the most interesting in terms of nutritional characteristics, they include three cultivars, characterised by the highest levels of oleic acid and MUFA and the MUFA/PUFA ratio. These results confirm the importance of the varietal character in determining the chemical characteristics of the oil. To enhance the olive sector, this characterisation must be extended to other secondary olive cultivars that are unexplored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]