scholarly journals Sterols and Triterpene Diols in Virgin Olive Oil: A Comprehensive Review on Their Properties and Significance, with a Special Emphasis on the Influence of Variety and Ripening Degree

Horticulturae ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 493
Author(s):  
Marina Lukić ◽  
Igor Lukić ◽  
Tihomir Moslavac

Olive oil is considered one of the most valuable vegetable oils and is highly appreciated by consumers for its specific and distinguishable taste and aroma, as well as its nutritional value. Sterols and triterpene diols are important carriers of bioactive properties of olive oil and are responsible for some of the beneficial effects of its consumption on human health, such as lowering serum LDL-cholesterol levels and significantly reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The concentration of total sterols and the proportions of particular sterols and triterpene diols are among the parameters used to verify and prove the authenticity of olive oil in accordance with the EU and other countries’ regulations. Finally, their composition has been shown to have high discrimination potential for ensuring traceability with respect to variety, geographical origin, harvest date, and other factors. For these reasons, the research on sterols and triterpene diols in olive oil is an ever-growing field of scientific interest with great practical importance. This review focuses on all the important aspects of sterols and triterpene diols in olive oil, from their chemical structure, biosynthesis, occurrence and role in plants, health benefits, and their use in official controls of olive oil purity and authenticity, to a conclusive survey on the recent findings about the effects of different factors of influence on their content and composition, with a detailed comparative analysis of studies that investigated the effects of the two most important factors, variety and ripening degree.

Antioxidants ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriele Serreli ◽  
Monica Deiana

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) polyphenols beneficial effects have widely been debated throughout the last three decades, with greater attention to hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol, which are by far the most studied. The main concern about the evaluation of EVOO phenols activities in vitro and in vivo is that the absorption and metabolism of these compounds once ingested lead to the production of different metabolites in the human body. EVOO phenols in the ingested forms are less concentrated in human tissues than their glucuronide, sulfate and methyl metabolites; on the other hand, metabolites may undergo deconjugation before entering the cells and thus act as free forms or may be reformed inside the cells so acting as conjugated forms. In most in vitro studies the presence of methyl/sulfate/glucuronide functional groups does not seem to inhibit biological activity. Parent compounds and metabolites have been shown to reach tissue concentrations useful to exert beneficial effects others than antioxidant and scavenging properties, by modulating intracellular signaling and improving cellular response to oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory stimuli. This review aims to give an overview on the reported evidence of the positive effects exerted by the main EVOO polyphenols metabolites in comparison with the parent compounds.


Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 885
Author(s):  
Álvaro Santana-Garrido ◽  
Claudia Reyes-Goya ◽  
M. Carmen Pérez-Camino ◽  
Helder André ◽  
Alfonso Mate ◽  
...  

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of ocular diseases, including hypertensive eye diseases. The beneficial effects of olive oil on cardiovascular diseases might rely on minor constituents. Currently, very little is known about the chemical composition and/or therapeutic effects of the cultivated olive tree’s counterpart, wild olive (also known in Spain as acebuche—ACE). Here, we aimed to analyze the antioxidant and retinoprotective effects of ACE oil on the eye of hypertensive mice made hypertensive via administration of NG-nitro-L-arginine-methyl-ester (L-NAME), which were subjected to a dietary supplementation with either ACE oil or extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) for comparison purposes. Deep analyses of major and minor compounds present in both oils was accompanied by blood pressure monitoring, morphometric analyses, as well as different determinations of oxidative stress-related parameters in retinal layers. Aside from its antihypertensive effect, an ACE oil-enriched diet reduced NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate) oxidase activity/gene/protein expression (with a major implication of NADPH oxidase (NOX)2 isoform) in the retinas of hypertensive mice. Supplementation with ACE oil in hypertensive animals also improved alterations in nitric oxide bioavailability and in antioxidant enzyme profile. Interestingly, our findings show that the use of ACE oil resulted in better outcomes, compared with reference EVOO, against hypertension-related oxidative retinal damage.


2004 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 853-858 ◽  
Author(s):  
Said Shahtahmasebi ◽  
Shahnaz Shahtahmasebi

In the course of a case study, a number of issues regarding the dynamics of blood cholesterol levels were identified. In this follow-up report, these issues are addressed. For example, issues of past behaviour and seasonality, intraindividual variation, and nonstationarity appear important over and above controllable variables such as diet and exercise. In this report, we conceptualise an alternative protective role for the dynamic blood cholesterol levels in a healthy population. Furthermore, regular consumption of extra virgin olive oil as produced in this case study may interact with the dynamics of cholesterol naturally. We recommend that future studies of this kind ought to include a time series of blood cholesterol based on daily measurements or intervals much shorter than the bimonthly measurements and to include measures of overall well being as covariates.


2005 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 98-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisa Tripoli ◽  
Marco Giammanco ◽  
Garden Tabacchi ◽  
Danila Di Majo ◽  
Santo Giammanco ◽  
...  

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.


2018 ◽  
pp. 163-177
Author(s):  
José Ramón Sánchez Jaraba

Designations of Origin and Geographical Indications are two quality titles covered by EU legislation for the protection of agricultural products and foodstuffs whose quality is linked to a specific territory. In spite of being two different titles, the similarities between them are evident, and, since the EU regulations do not establish priority or incompatibility between them, it is possible that both protection instruments can apply in the same territory to designate the same type of product. This is actually the case in the province of Jaén, in southeastern Spain, where three Protected Denominations of Origin (PDOs) are threatened as a result of the application for registration of a Protected Geographical Indication (PDI) that intends to act at the provincial level for designating the same product: extra virgin olive oil. In this study we analyse this case and formulate some general recommendations of possible solutions that might allow a peaceful coexistence between these two titles of protection.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 2200
Author(s):  
Marta Farràs ◽  
Laura Martinez-Gili ◽  
Kevin Portune ◽  
Sara Arranz ◽  
Gary Frost ◽  
...  

There is extensive information of the beneficial effects of virgin olive oil (VOO), especially on cardiovascular diseases. Some VOO healthy properties have been attributed to their phenolic-compounds (PCs). The aim of this review is to present updated data on the effects of olive oil (OO) PCs on the gut microbiota, lipid metabolism, immune system, and obesity, as well as on the crosstalk among them. We summarize experiments and clinical trials which assessed the specific effects of the olive oil phenolic-compounds (OOPCs) without the synergy with OO-fats. Several studies have demonstrated that OOPC consumption increases Bacteroidetes and/or reduces the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, which have both been related to atheroprotection. OOPCs also increase certain beneficial bacteria and gut-bacteria diversity which can be therapeutic for lipid-immune disorders and obesity. Furthermore, some of the mechanisms implicated in the crosstalk between OOPCs and these disorders include antimicrobial-activity, cholesterol microbial metabolism, and metabolites produced by bacteria. Specifically, OOPCs modulate short-chain fatty-acids produced by gut-microbiota, which can affect cholesterol metabolism and the immune system, and may play a role in weight gain through promoting satiety. Since data in humans are scarce, there is a necessity for more clinical trials designed to assess the specific role of the OOPCs in this crosstalk.


Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 2833 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola Ditano-Vázquez ◽  
José David Torres-Peña ◽  
Francisco Galeano-Valle ◽  
Ana Isabel Pérez-Caballero ◽  
Pablo Demelo-Rodríguez ◽  
...  

A growing interest has emerged in the beneficial effects of plant-based diets for the prevention of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity. The Mediterranean diet, one of the most widely evaluated dietary patterns in scientific literature, includes in its nutrients two fluid foods: olive oil, as the main source of fats, and a low-to-moderate consumption of wine, mainly red, particularly during meals. Current mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of the Mediterranean diet include a reduction in inflammatory and oxidative stress markers, improvement in lipid profile, insulin sensitivity and endothelial function, as well as antithrombotic properties. Most of these effects are attributable to bioactive ingredients including polyphenols, mono- and poly-unsaturated fatty acids. Polyphenols are a heterogeneous group of phytochemicals containing phenol rings. The principal classes of red wine polyphenols include flavonols (quercetin and myricetin), flavanols (catechin and epicatechin), anthocyanin and stilbenes (resveratrol). Olive oil has at least 30 phenolic compounds. Among them, the main are simple phenols (tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol), secoroids and lignans. The present narrative review focuses on phenols, part of red wine and virgin olive oil, discussing the evidence of their effects on lipids, blood pressure, atheromatous plaque and glucose metabolism.


Author(s):  
Rosa Casas ◽  
Ramon Estruch ◽  
Emilio Sacanella

Background and Objective: The increasing interest in the Mediterranean diet (MeDiet) hinges on the relevant role it plays in inflammatory diseases. Several clinical, epidemiological and experimental evidences suggest that consumption of the MeDiet reduces the incidence of certain pathologies related to oxidative stress, chronic inflammation and immune system diseases such as cancer, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD). These reductions can be partially attributed to extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) consumption which has been described as a key bioactive food because of its high nutritional quality and its particular composition of fatty acids, vitamins and polyphenols. Indeed, the beneficial effects of EVOO have been linked to its fatty acid composition, which is very rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), and has moderate saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). The current knowledge available on the beneficial effects of EVOO and its phenolic compounds, specifically its biological properties and antioxidant capacity against immune-mediated inflammatory responses (atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, obesity, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease or neurodegenerative disease, among others) in addition to its potential clinical applications. Conclusion: The increasing body of studies carried out provides compelling evidence that olive polyphenols are potential candidates to combat chronic inflammatory states.


Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 868
Author(s):  
Irene Dini ◽  
Sonia Laneri

Spices, condiments and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) are crucial components of human history and nutrition. They are substances added to foods to improve flavor and taste. Many of them are used not only to flavor foods, but also in traditional medicine and cosmetics. They have antioxidant, antiviral, antibiotic, anticoagulant and antiinflammatory properties and exciting potential for preventing chronic degenerative diseases such as cardiomyopathy and cancer when used in the daily diet. Research and development in this particular field are deeply rooted as the consumer inclination towards natural products is significant. It is essential to let consumers know the beneficial effects of the daily consumption of spices, condiments and extra virgin olive oil so that they can choose them based on effects proven by scientific works and not by the mere illusion that plant products are suitable only because they are natural and not chemicals. The study begins with the definition of spices, condiments and extra virgin olive oil. It continues by describing the pathologies that can be prevented with a spicy diet and it concludes by considering the molecules responsible for the beneficial effects on human health (phytochemical) and their eventual transformation when cooked.


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