Search Results (2,786)

Mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH), comprising saturated (MOSH) and aromatic (MOAH) compounds, are ubiquitous lipophilic contaminants. This review critically examines their occurrence, toxicology, analysis, contamination sources, and mitigation strategies in the olive oil sector. Emphasis is placed on analytical evolution, highlighting online LC-GC-FID and the EN ISO 20122:2024 standard, including advances in saponification and epoxidation to minimize biogenic interferences. Monitoring data reveal that virgin olive oils from the market can sometimes exceed the 2.0 mg/kg limit for the MOAH. Ten times higher levels are usually found in olive pomace oils (OPOs). In OPO, solvent extraction causes a significant reconcentration of hydrocarbons remaining on the solid matter after physical extraction and accumulating during the open-air storage of pomace. Conversely, for virgin oils, contamination can occur at multiple points along the supply chain, but harvesting emerged as the most important critical step, often due to accidental contact with lubricants, greases, or hydraulic fluids. Post-milling operations may also contribute to contamination. Mitigation strategies rely on Good Agricultural and Manufacturing Practices, focusing on the systematic replacement of technical-grade lubricants with food-grade alternatives. Additionally, olive washing can reduce initial MOSH content, while refining further lowers levels, particularly in lighter fractions. Full article

This article analyzes the scale, fluctuations and geographical distribution of olive (Olea europaea) cultivation in Palestine over 550 years, from the Late Mamluk period (1300–1517), through the Ottoman era (1517–1917), until the end of the British Mandate in 1947. Although olive oil played a dominant role in the diet and the local economy, there is currently no research that measures and quantifies the number of olive trees or the number of villages and towns that cultivated olive trees and produced olive oil. We reconstruct the agricultural landscape with its vast olive groves and examine the cultural history of olive tree farming, the growth of the olive oil industries and their economic role and importance. The earliest figures we have, that are from the year 1596, show that 400 villages cultivated 1,400,794 olive trees. By 1943, there were 6,053,367 olive trees that were cultivated by 644 villages. We found a strong correlation (R² = 0.96, p < 0.01) between the number of olive trees and the number of villages, indicating that olive oil demand and the olive oil industry align with population size. The research data derives from a variety of medieval local chroniclers, as well as diaries by European, North African and Middle Eastern travelers who provide descriptions of olive groves and the olive oil industry. Among the most important sources are the 1596 Ottoman tax registers. The tax registers are the first document that present clear-cut figures on the numbers of olive trees, olive presses and the names of the villages that cultivated olive groves. The main sources for the last period dealt with in this study are the British Mandate maps (1943), which display the acreage of the different crops across Palestine. The data from the maps is supplemented by two modern works on olive cultivation written by agronomists Assaf Goor (b. 1894) and Ali Nasouh (b. 1906) who were born in Palestine and employed by the British department of agriculture. The analysis of data shows that demands of local and oversea markets; the olive oil soap industry, which was based on the local olive oil; as well as competing agricultural crops like sugarcane, cotton and citrus, contributed to a complex economic structure. Olive tree cultivation did not depend on government investment. Olive groves in Palestine were rain fed, and, except for the harvest, they required relatively few working days a year. Hence, moderate policies (low taxation during periods of drought and low yields) adopted by enterprising local rulers and the central British government created a unique and relatively balanced relationship between rulers and farmers, which encouraged olive cultivation and led to a constant increase in the number of olive trees and the development of the olive oil industry. Full article

Extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) is a chemically complex lipid matrix whose minor constituents—especially phenolic secoiridoids—drive sensory quality, oxidative stability, and health benefits. However, these bioactives are vulnerable to heat, light, oxygen, and pro-oxidant metals during processing and distribution, while the high cost of EVOO often makes it a target for adulteration and mislabeling. This review critically assesses nano-enabled, food-grade strategies that (i) preserve phenolics and aroma compounds through nanoencapsulation, inclusion complexes, Pickering stabilization, and structured lipid systems; (ii) control their release and bioaccessibility during digestion; and (iii) enhance authenticity verification via sensor-ready packaging, spectroscopy/chemometrics, and digital traceability systems (IoT, machine learning, blockchain). We align these innovations with the “product identity constraints” of the EVOO category and with official quality standards used in routine control (IOC/EU). Finally, we explore circular valorization of olive-mill by-products within food-centered biorefineries, outlining pathways to convert biomass into ingredients, materials, and energy, thus reducing environmental impacts. Research priorities are proposed to develop scalable, regulation-compliant nanotechnologies that extend shelf life and increase consumer trust without compromising EVOO category standards. Full article

Improving nitrogen (N) use efficiency in olive cultivation is essential to address the environmental burden of N fertilizers, whose recovery efficiency rarely exceeds 55%. This study evaluates the agronomic and environmental performance of chabazite-rich zeolite as a soil amendment to enable 50% N-fertilizer reduction in olive growing. A seven-year field experiment (2017–2023) was conducted at two sites in Emilia-Romagna (Italy)—one irrigated (Brisighella) and one rainfed (Bertinoro)—comparing four autochthonous varieties under zeolite amendment (ZEO, 50% N) versus conventional fertilization (CNT, 100% N). Vegetative growth, productive parameters, oil quality and environmental impacts (Life Cycle Assessment, ISO 14040/44) were monitored. Under irrigation, ZEO maintained vegetative and productive equivalence with CNT, sustaining commercially viable yields (0.5–2.3 t ha⁻¹). Under rainfed conditions, variety-specific responses emerged: Colombina exhibited 126.2% greater trunk diameter and near-universal fruiting competence (88.9% vs. 29–35% productive plants) under ZEO, while Capolga showed treatment convergence. LCA revealed higher per-unit environmental impacts for ZEO during early orchard phases due to front-loaded extraction burdens, progressively offset by annual N-input reductions. These findings demonstrate that zeolite amendment enables agronomically viable 50% N-fertilizer reduction, with efficacy modulated by water regime and genotype. Full article

The rheological behavior of chitosan–vanillin crosslinked olive oil-in-water emulsions (Φ = 0.52) was investigated to identify formulation and processing conditions suitable for designing oleogel precursors. The effects of homogenization conditions, reaction temperature, chitosan concentration, vanillin-to-chitosan molar ratio, and non-ionic surfactants were systematically evaluated. Surfactant-free emulsions exhibited a structured, gel-like response and non-thixotropic shear-thinning flow, which was well described by the Herschel–Bulkley model within the investigated shear-rate range. Optimal homogenization (4 min, ≥9500 rpm) refined the microstructure without compromising stability. Increasing the reaction temperature to 55 °C, the chitosan concentration to ~0.9% (w/w), and the vanillin-to-chitosan molar ratio to 0.7 maximized yield stress, consistency, and thermal robustness, consistent with enhanced network formation. In contrast, Tween^® surfactants produced divergent responses, increasing small-amplitude oscillatory stiffness while markedly reducing resistance under steady shear, likely due to surfactant-driven interfacial displacement. Among the tested surfactants, Tween^® 20 provided the highest thermal stability. Overall, these results define processing and formulation windows to obtain surfactant-free, structured emulsions with improved structuring performance, supporting their use as effective templates for olive oil oleogel development. Full article

Background and Objectives: During the past 25 years, a significant body of research has been conducted reporting on the salutary effects of the Mediterranean diet and extra-virgin olive oil, one of its main components. The initial studies were epidemiological observations on populations with very low mortality rates due to significant reductions in myocardial infarction fatalities. Population-based studies demonstrated that the Mediterranean diet with olive oil consumption is associated with a lower prevalence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, obesity, arthritis, and cancer. Materials and Methods: In this narrative review, we present recent studies on the effects of extra-virgin olive oil and the Mediterranean diet—compared with various other diets—on several vascular risk factors, including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and obesity, as well as their impact on cognitive decline and dementia. Results: This diet has been shown to improve cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, vascular cognitive impairment, and vascular dementia. The main mechanisms responsible for cognitive improvement include control of arterial hypertension by reducing systolic and diastolic blood pressure, lowering triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, along with improvement in fasting glucose, insulin levels, and hemoglobin A1c in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus, as well as lowering body mass index and obesity. Conclusions: The Mediterranean diet and olive oil induce—along with prevention of cardiovascular disease and stroke—a significant improvement of vascular risk factors, slowing the progression of both vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. There is a need for additional placebo-controlled clinical trials to confirm the supportive nutritional role of extra-virgin olive oil in age-associated cognitive decline in the elderly. Full article

Background: The Mediterranean diet (MD) represents a nutritionally balanced eating pattern characterized by high consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains, olive oil, fish, and extra-virgin olive oil as the principal fat source and limited intake of red meat and refined sugars. Emerging evidence indicates that the MD’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties extend beyond systemic health, potentially reducing the risk and severity of periodontitis. This narrative review aimed to synthesize current evidence on the relationship between adherence to the MD and periodontal health outcomes. Methods: A comprehensive electronic literature search was conducted in PubMed without restrictions on publication date. Fourteen studies, ranging from 2019 to 2025, were included, encompassing human, clinical, experimental, and review designs that examined MD adherence and its effects on periodontal parameters. Eligible studies included cross-sectional, cohort, randomized controlled trials; systematic reviews; and animal models assessing clinical periodontal indices, inflammatory biomarkers, or microbial composition. Extracted data included study design, population characteristics, dietary assessment methods, and primary periodontal findings. Results: Most studies demonstrated that greater adherence to the MD was associated with improved periodontal parameters, including reduced probing pocket depth, clinical attachment loss, and bleeding on probing. Interventional trials showed significant reductions in systemic inflammatory markers such as IL-1β, TNF-α, and CRP, along with decreased counts of periodontopathogenic bacteria. Experimental studies further revealed the protective role of oleic acid and polyphenols in regulating macrophage activity, suppressing osteoclastogenesis, and enhancing IL-10 expression via epigenetic modulation. However, heterogeneity in dietary scoring systems, sample characteristics, and follow-up duration limited direct comparison, and not all associations reached statistical significance. Conclusions: Current evidence supports a beneficial association between MD adherence and periodontal health, mediated through anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and microbiome-stabilizing mechanisms. Further standardized longitudinal and interventional studies are needed to confirm causality and refine nutritional strategies for periodontal disease prevention and management. Full article

X. fastidiosa subsp. pauca (Xfp) is the etiological agent of “Olive Quick Decline Syndrome” (OQDS). Cellina di Nardò (Olea europaea L., Oleaceae), one of the major Salento cultivars, is highly susceptible to Xfp, usually showing acute symptoms after infection. NuovOlivo^® a plant-derived formulation made with vegetal oils and water infusion from multi botanical species has been reported as effective against OQDS in plants affected by Xfp. A non-targeted ¹H NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) fingerprinting approach, with unsupervised and supervised analysis, was applied to observe the possible changes in the metabolic profile in leaf samples of cultivars Cellina di Nardò naturally affected by Xfp treated with NuovOlivo^® compared to untreated plants. The major differences were observed for the content of quinic acid, malate, mannitol, glucose, oleuropein, and aldehyde derivatives in treated compared to untreated samples. The resulting data indicated a season-dependent plant response to both disease and treatment. Moreover, the overall differences observed between the two investigated years, suggest a general decrease in the differences for the discriminating metabolites over time. The protocol NuovOlivo^® was demonstrated to promote changes in the metabolic profile of olive leaves, suggesting a possible role of this treatment, integrated with good agricultural practices, against Xfp and OQDS. Full article

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is a key component of the Mediterranean diet, valued for its bioactive constituents and associated health benefits. This study evaluated the influence of four agronomic and processing factors—harvest month, destoning, fruit washing, and bottling delay—on the chemical composition of Kolovi EVOOs from the PGI Lesvos region. A total of 34 oils were produced under standardized conditions and analyzed for phenolic compounds, tocopherols, pigments, and squalene using UPLC-QTOF-MS and HPLC-DAD. The oils were characterized by consistently high nutritional quality, with most samples fulfilling EFSA health claim thresholds for hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol and its derivatives, and α-tocopherol. Harvest month was the most influential parameter: early harvested oils (October) contained significantly higher levels of phenolics, α-tocopherol, and lutein, whereas later harvests (November) were richer in squalene. Destoning produced modest changes, with slightly higher phenolics in non-destoned oils and reduced lipophilic antioxidants in destoned samples. Fruit washing selectively decreased hydrophilic phenolics, while lipophilic compounds were largely unaffected. Bottling delays of up to 48 h under protective conditions had negligible effects on composition, aside from minor increases in specific phenolic derivatives. These findings suggest that early harvesting and careful consideration of destoning are the most effective strategies for supporting the antioxidant profile of Kolovi EVOOs, while other practices can be adjusted with limited impact on quality. Full article

Background: Researchers are now focusing on new and less invasive therapies to improve the domiciliary maintenance phase of periodontitis. Ozonated olive oil as an alternative to common local antiseptics and the assumption of probiotics to maintain a eubiotic oral microbiome show promising results. However, the literature is still limited on this topic. This RCT aims to investigate the clinical benefits of combining ozonated olive oil products (mouthwash and toothpaste) with probiotics on oral health status in patients with stage I and II periodontitis following the active phase of therapy. Methods: The study followed a triple-blind RCT design. Patients with stage I and II periodontitis were enrolled and randomly assigned to three groups: group A (placebo), group B (effective ozonated olive oil mouthwash and toothpaste), and group C (combined protocol with effective ozonated olive oil and probiotics). Clinical assessment was performed at the first visit and after 30 days, considering Full-Mouth Plaque Score (FMPS), Full-Mouth Bleeding Score (FMBS), and Probing Pocket Depth (PPD). Results: The FMPS percentages showed a significative reduction (p = 0.0002) of 24%, 33%, and 62% observed in group A, group B, and group C, respectively. Also, the FMBS percentages were significantly decreased (p < 0.0001): −15%, −20%, and −49% observed in group A, group B, and group C, respectively. The mean PPD showed significant differences (p < 0.0001): −0.10 mm, −0.40 mm, and −1.10 mm observed in group A, group B, and group C, respectively. Overall, group C showed the best improvement among the considered clinical indexes. Conclusions: The findings of this clinical trial support the use of a combined regime of the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects of ozonated olive oil and the modulation of the oral microbiome of probiotic supplements as an adjunctive domiciliary strategy for patients affected by stage I and II periodontitis. Full article

Olive mill wastewaters (OWWs) are a phenol-rich by-product of olive oil production, associated with high disposal costs and significant environmental impact. This study evaluated the effects of OWW supplementation on Tenebrio molitor larvae (TML) reared on standard cereal-based substrates. Larval survival was not affected, but average body weight was significantly reduced in all OWW-treated groups, indicating a measurable impact on growth. Metabolomic profiling revealed alterations in amino acid, carbohydrate, and organic acid contents, including reductions in branched-chain and aromatic amino acids, trehalose, and Krebs cycle intermediates, particularly in groups with the strongest growth reduction. Lipid analysis showed stable saturated fatty acids, a shift from polyunsaturated to monounsaturated fatty acids, and an increase in total fat in the most affected groups. Despite the lack of enhancement in polyphenol accumulation or antioxidant activity, multivariate analysis highlighted distinct metabolic signatures between OWW-treated and control larvae, with sucrose, lactate, and fumarate identified as key discriminant metabolites. These findings demonstrate that OWW, a valorized olive oil by-product, can modulate growth and metabolism in TML, opening new perspectives for its application in innovative weight management strategies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Insect-derived lipids are emerging as circular-economy feed ingredients, but their implementation in ruminant diets requires robust safety assessment beyond productive endpoints. This study evaluated genome integrity in 26 lactating Valdostana Red Pied cows fed concentrates containing either hydrogenated palm fat (HPF; n = 13) or black soldier fly oil (Hermetia illucens oil, HIO; n = 13) for 50 days. Methods: Peripheral blood lymphocytes were analyzed using Sister Chromatid Exchanges (SCE), reflecting replication-associated chromosomal instability, and the alkaline Comet assay, quantifying primary DNA damage at the single-cell level (Tail DNA and Olive tail moment) at T0 (the day before the start of the two experimental diets), T1 (30 d) and T2 (50 d). Results: Baseline SCE frequencies were comparable between groups. Over time, SCE values decreased in both groups, but a significant reduction occurred only in HIO at day 50, with lower SCE frequency than HPF (5.73 ± 0.11 vs. 6.29 ± 0.13; p = 0.002). Comet tail DNA showed a significant time effect (T0 vs. T1: mean difference = 179,846.6; p < 0.001; T0 vs. T2: mean difference = 138,395.2; p = 0.012), with diet-dependent modulation. In fact, in HIO, tail DNA decreased from 387,886 ± 94,606 (T0) to 147,006 ± 30,592 (T1; p < 0.001), remained lower at day 50 (155,723 ± 29,357; p = 0.024), and was lower than HPF at both T1 (p = 0.006) and T2 (p = 0.009). Olive tail moment also decreased over time (T0 vs. T1: mean difference = 1.925 × 10¹⁵; p = 0.008; T0 vs. T2: mean difference = 1.676 × 10¹⁵; p = 0.025), and it differed between diets at day 50 in favor of HIO (5.99 × 10¹⁵ ± 5.45 × 10¹⁴ vs. 7.26 × 10¹⁵ ± 5.98 × 10¹⁴; p = 0.017). Conclusions: Overall, no evidence of genotoxicity was observed in cows fed HIO; conversely, the results support compatibility with genome stability and suggest a modest time-dependent improvement detectable mainly after prolonged supplementation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a prevalent metabolic disease associated with maternal and neonatal complications. Diets enriched with extra virgin olive oil may benefit metabolism and provide antioxidant effects. We aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with extra virgin olive oil on metabolic parameters and insulinization rate in women with GDM. Methods: This is a multicenter, parallel, randomized controlled trial in which 190 patients with GDM were enrolled before week 29 of gestation and randomized into the Control group and the Intervention group. Patients in the Intervention group received the indication to consume three tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) daily. At term, metabolic parameters, insulin requirement and maternal and neonatal outcomes were evaluated. Results: Control and Intervention groups showed no differences in maternal age (31.7 ± 6.0 and 32.4 ± 5.2 years, respectively) or gestational age (26.5 ± 3.6 and 26.7 ± 3.3 weeks, respectively) at enrollment. Primary outcomes showed that EVOO consumption was associated with a reduction in insulin requirement (RR 0.595, 95% CI 0.361–0.967, p < 0.05). There was a significant reduction in triglyceridemia in the EVOO-supplemented group compared to controls (MD −43.3 mg/dL, 95% CI −66.8–−19.8, p < 0.01). There were no effects of the intervention on gestational weight gain. As secondary outcomes, maternal BMI and gestational age at delivery showed no changes between the groups. Although maternal and neonatal composite outcomes were not significantly reduced, the rate of neonates with more than one complication (RR 0.340, 95% CI 0.133–0.870, p < 0.05) and NICU requirement (RR 0.367, 95% CI 0.140–0.939, p < 0.05) were significantly reduced in the Intervention group. Conclusions: In GDM, maternal dietary supplementation with extra virgin olive oil resulted in reduction in maternal triglyceridemia, need of insulinization and neonatal complications. Full article

Olive groves in Mediterranean regions are being increasingly exposed to drought and heat extremes, intensifying the interannual yield variability. This study presents an integrated smart-farming framework that links soil context, climate forcing and satellite-observed canopy dynamics to enhance the interpretability and transferability of yield indicators at the parcel scale in southern Spain. Using SoilGrids root-zone properties and the Sentinel-2 time series of the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), we first classified parcels into three edaphic clusters. The canopy development was then expressed in thermal time using growing degree days (GDD), enabling phenology-aligned comparisons across campaigns. Two robust patterns emerged: (i) the cumulative NDVI up to 520 GDD showed a consistent negative association with both the biomass and the oil yield, suggesting an early-season vegetation trade-off and carry-over effects typical of perennial systems, and (ii) the rainfall accumulated during a thermally defined window (120–480 GDD) strongly estimated the yield in the subsequent year ($R^2=0.83$–0.97 across soil clusters). By anchoring both vegetation and precipitation indicators to physiologically meaningful thermal milestones, the proposed framework avoids arbitrary calendar windows and enhances the interpretability, cross-year comparability, and scalability. Under projected increases in drought frequency and heat extremes, such hydro-thermal scaling approaches offer a robust basis for early yield forecasting, cooperative-level production planning, and adaptive management in Mediterranean olive systems. Full article

Reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) from polymer-modified asphalt pavements often contains a recovered binder that is stiff and brittle, which reduces workability and increases durability risk. Waste cooking oil (WCO) is a promising circular rejuvenator, but its effectiveness remains inconsistent because oil source and degradation state are often not well controlled, particularly in polymer-modified RAP systems. This study introduced a controlled simulated WCO approach and compared four oil sources (Palm, Soy, Olive, and Rice) as rejuvenators for recovered RAP binder and RAP mixtures. Simulated oils were added at 4% and 8% by mass of recovered RAP binder. The simulated WCOs produced clear dosage-dependent softening of the recovered binder. Penetration increased, while softening point and rotational viscosity decreased, indicating partial restoration of binder mobility and improved workability. At the mixture level, the 4% dosage provided the most balanced performance, improving moisture resistance and reducing Cantabro loss compared with the control mixture. Specifically, tensile strength ratio (TSR) increased from 75% to 80.9–83.7%, while Cantabro loss decreased from 19.8% to 13.2–14.6%, showing better cohesion and resistance to particle loss. However, Hamburg wheel tracking (HWT) results revealed strong oil-source dependence, with Soy showing the lowest rut depth and Olive the highest, indicating that excessive softening can reduce deformation resistance. The results demonstrate that controlled simulated WCO can support practical oil-source selection for polymer-modified RAP mixtures. A moderate dosage is more effective because it improves binder restoration and mixture durability without causing excessive softening, while rutting verification remains essential before field application. Full article