1H NMR and Multivariate Analysis for Geographic Characterization of Commercial Extra Virgin Olive Oil: A Possible Correlation with Climate Data

• Main Authors: Domenico Rongai, Nadia Sabatini, Laura Del Coco, Enzo Perri, Paolo Del Re, Nicola Simone, Donato Marchegiani, Francesco Paolo Fanizzi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2017-11-01
• Series: Foods
• Subjects: 1H NMR spectroscopy; EVOOs geographical origin; extra virgin olive oil; multivariate statistical analysis; historical climate data
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/6/11/96
• ISSN: 2304-8158

1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy coupled with multivariate analysis has been applied in order to investigate metabolomic profiles of more than 200 extravirgin olive oils (EVOOs) collected in a period of over four years (2009–2012) from different geographic areas. In particular, commercially blended EVOO samples originating from different Italian regions (Tuscany, Sicily and Apulia), as well as European (Spain and Portugal) and non-European (Tunisia, Turkey, Chile and Australia) countries. Multivariate statistical analysis (Principal Component Analisys (PCA) and Orthogonal Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA)) applied on the NMR data revealed the existence of marked differences between Italian (in particular from Tuscany, Sicily and Apulia regions) and foreign (in particular Tunisian) EVOO samples. A possible correlation with available climate data has been also investigated. These results aim to develop a powerful NMR-based tool able to protect Italian olive oil productions.