Antioxidant Activity of Olive Pulp and Olive Oil Phenolic Compounds of the Arbequina Cultivar

The production of olive oil generates massive quantities of by-product called olive mill wastewater (OMWW). The uncontrolled disposal of OMWW poses serious environmental problems. The OMWW effluent is rich in several polyphenolic compounds. Liquid-liquid extraction of OMWW using ethyl acetate solvent was used to enrich phenolic compounds under investigation. Total phenolic and flavonoid content and antioxidant activity of the extract were determined. HPLC coupled to photodiode array (PDA) detector was used to analyze the main three phenolic compounds of OMWW, namely, hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, and oleuropein. The antimicrobial activity of the extract was also investigated. Additionally, the OMWW extract was used as natural preservative and antioxidants for olive oil. Results showed that OMWW is very rich in phenolic compounds and has strong antioxidant activity. HPLC analysis showed that the extract contains mainly hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol but no oleuropein. The OMWW extract showed also positive activities as antibacterial (gram positive and gram negative) and antifungal as well as activities against yeast. The addition of OMWW extract to olive oil samples has an effect on the stability of olive oil as reflected by its acid value, peroxide value, K232 and K270, and total phenolic content.

Download Full-text

The phenolic compounds of olive oil: structure, biological activity and beneficial effects on human health

Nutrition Research Reviews ◽

10.1079/nrr200495 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 98-112 ◽

Cited By ~ 349

Author(s):

Elisa Tripoli ◽

Marco Giammanco ◽

Garden Tabacchi ◽

Danila Di Majo ◽

Santo Giammanco ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antioxidant Activity ◽

Phenolic Compounds ◽

Olive Oil ◽

Saturated Fatty Acids ◽

Virgin Olive Oil ◽

Mediterranean Area ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

The Mediterranean

AbstractThe Mediterranean diet is rich in vegetables, cereals, fruit, fish, milk, wine and olive oil and has salutary biological functions. Epidemiological studies have shown a lower incidence of atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases and certain kinds of cancer in the Mediterranean area. Olive oil is the main source of fat, and the Mediterranean diet's healthy effects can in particular be attributed not only to the high relationship between unsaturated and saturated fatty acids in olive oil but also to the antioxidant property of its phenolic compounds. The main phenolic compounds, hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein, which give extra-virgin olive oil its bitter, pungent taste, have powerful antioxidant activity bothin vivoandin vitro. The present review focuses on recent works analysing the relationship between the structure of olive oil polyphenolic compounds and their antioxidant activity. These compounds' possible beneficial effects are due to their antioxidant activity, which is related to the development of atherosclerosis and cancer, and to anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity.

Download Full-text