A First Description of the Phenolic Profile of EVOOs from the Maltese Islands Using SPE and HPLC: Pedo-Climatic Conditions Modulate Genetic Factors

Abstract

Achieving economic sustainability in the olive oil production sector is a challenge. This is particularly so for small scale producers who are faced with pressing, production and marketing costs that relative to overall sales, minimise profits. In this study we aimed to describe the phenolic profile of extra virgin olive oils (EVOOs) derived from the Maltese islands. The polar fractions from EVOOs from nine indigenous (six Bidni and three Malti), one historically acclimatized tree (Bajda), 12 locally-grown but foreign cultivars and 32 foreign EVOOs were extracted using SPE (solid phase extraction), separated using HPLC analysis at 280 nm and 320 nm and identified using mass spectrometry. Application of ANOVA and Tukey post hoc hypothesis testing for analysis of variance on the peak areas identified a significantly higher concentration of p-coumaric acid, tyrosol acetate, DHPEA-EDA and oleocanthal in EVOOs derived from indigenous or historically acclimatized cultivars. Imported but locally grown cultivars showed differences when compared to the same cultivar grown in other countries, confirming that pedo-climatic conditions modulate genetic factors.