Geographical Origin Assessment of Extra Virgin Olive Oil via NMR and MS Combined with Chemometrics as Analytical Approaches

Geographical origin assessment of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is recognised worldwide as raising consumers’ awareness of product authenticity and the need to protect top-quality products. The need for geographical origin assessment is also related to mandatory legislation and/or the obligations of true labelling in some countries. Nevertheless, official methods for such specific authentication of EVOOs are still missing. Among the analytical techniques useful for certification of geographical origin, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectroscopy (MS), combined with chemometrics, have been widely used. This review considers published works describing the use of these analytical methods, supported by statistical protocols such as multivariate analysis (MVA), for EVOO origin assessment. The research has shown that some specific countries, generally corresponding to the main worldwide producers, are more interested than others in origin assessment and certification. Some specific producers such as Italian EVOO producers may have been focused on this area because of consumers’ interest and/or intrinsic economical value, as testified also by the national concern on the topic. Both NMR- and MS-based approaches represent a mature field where a general validation method for EVOOs geographic origin assessment could be established as a reference recognised procedure.

The perspective of artisan vendors' resilience, dedication to product authenticity, and the role of marketing and community: 21st century

PurposeThis study creates new knowledge that addresses issues significant enough to warrant intellectual engagement. It fills a gap in the academic and practitioner literature by examining a profitable yet understudied cottage industry (artisan vendors). It examines marketing concepts that influence dedication to authentic craftsmanship and artisans' willingness to continue in the industry.Design/methodology/approachThis study examines historical evidence and connects it with subjective and interpretive analyses from 29 in-depth interviews of today's US artisan vendors to identify sustainable marketing best practices for the industry.FindingsResearchers uncovered factors behind artisan vendors' willingness to stay committed to their craft and remain in the industry. From the findings of this study, marketing best practices (branding, brand communities and product adaptation while remaining authentic to their craft) were identified as tools for resilience and remaining a viable competitor in the marketplace.Originality/valueHistorically, artisan vendors have been engaging in marketing practices before terms defined their activities. Thus, this study is original in that it contributes to the academic literature by first conducting an analysis of the history of an understudied cottage industry (artisan vendors) starting in the Mesopotamian Era. The key marketing factors discovered in the historical study contributing to the resilience of this industry were then used to conceptualize a qualitative study of the highly profitable US artisan vendor industry.

(En) act your age! Marketing and the marketization of history in young SMEs

Purpose This paper aims to examine how wineries used history in their marketing communications to overcome the liability of newness in a settled field that valorizes duration and longevity. Design/methodology/approach A multiple-case study investigated the treatment of history in marketing by young wineries in a new wine region. Data included interviews, site visits and marketing communications. Findings Wineries worked to communicate stakeholder legitimacy and authenticity by constructing organizational histories through bricolage, communicating history in symbolic, material and practice forms. Research limitations/implications Young organizations can communicate field legitimacy and projections of organizational and product authenticity through constructed histories. Results may not be generalizable to other jurisdictions as wine marketing is normatively subject to government regulation. The importance of history in marketing communications also varies across sectors. Practical implications Young businesses in sectors where tradition, place and longevity are venerated can establish authenticity and legitimacy through the marketization of history by following practices that demonstrate adherence to tradition and making thoughtful choices in the construction of the symbolic and material aspects of their organizations. Originality/value This study demonstrates that new/young organizations can use bricolage to create their own marketized histories as proxies for age.

DNA Metabarcoding for Quality Control of Basil, Oregano, and Paprika

Herbs and spices are some of the most vulnerable products in terms of fraud and adulteration in the food sector. Although standard analytical methods are accurate for quality control of specific lead or marker compounds, they cannot accurately assess the entire species composition of many marketed products. Complementary analytical approaches are thus often used for comprehensive screening of herbs and spices. In this study we evaluate DNA metabarcoding for the identification and authentication of 62 products, containing basil, oregano, and paprika collected from different retailers and importers in Norway. Our results show varying degrees of discrepancy between the constituent species and those listed on the product labels, despite high product authenticity. We suggest the false positives result from the sensitivity of DNA metabarcoding and filtering thresholds should be integrated into protocols to reduce false positives. Our results highlight how integrating DNA metabarcoding into the toolbox of analytical methods for quality control of fresh and/or processed plant-based food can improve product quality.

Fatty acids evaluation by Principal Component Analysis for the traceability of Sicilian and Calabrian olive oils

Background and Objectives: In this article a comprehensive study was carried out for Sicilian and Calabrian olive oils authenticity evaluation through chemometric analyses, correlating botanical and geographical origins with samples chemical composition. Method: A total of eighteen Sicilian and Calabrian (southern Italy) olive oil samples were analyzed through gas chromatography (GC). Results: The fatty acids concentration in the investigated samples followed the subsequent order: oleic (C18:1) > palmitic (C16) > linoleic (C18:2) > stearic (C18) > palmitoleic (C16:1) > linoleic (C18:3). The 2D Scatterplot (Principal Component Analysis) showed that, among the analyzed oils, six clusters stand out, which seem to consistently group samples in relation to the cultivars and cultivation areas that share the territorial proximity (same province). Conclusions: Experimental results demonstrated that it is possible to strictly relate, through the PCA, olive oils to their geographical and botanical provenance, thus becoming a useful tool for evaluating product authenticity and to guarantee it to the consumers.

DNA authentication technologies for product quality monitoring in the wine industry

Identification of wine product authenticity is a topical question in theRussian Federation. A solution to this problem can be DNA authentication of wines, which is a technological process of product authenticity control using genetic identification of the main plant ingredient — wine grape varieties. This type of wine verification is carried out by analyzing residual amounts of Vitis vinifera L. nucleic acids extracted from cell debris of final products by molecular genetic methods. The aim of this work is the analysis of the existing methods for extraction of nucleic acids from grapes, wine raw materials and commercial wines, as well as description of the molecular genetic approaches to technical genetic identification of grape varieties and authentication of wines made from them. The obtained data suggest suitability of DNA authentication of wine products as a supplement to earlier approved analytical methods (documentary, visual, sensory, physico-chemical).

EXPRESS: Social-Media, Influencers, and Adoption of an Eco-Friendly Product: Field Experiment Evidence from Rural China

Can low-cost marketing tools that are used to enhance business performance also contribute to creating a better world? The authors investigate the role of online social media tools in alleviating customer (farmer) uncertainty and promoting the adoption of a new eco-friendly pesticide in rural China. The key finding is that even for a new product such as a pesticide, a low-cost social media support platform effectively promotes its adoption. The combination of information from peers and the firm on the platform facilitates learning about product features and alleviates uncertainty associated with product quality and appropriate product usage. Nevertheless, at the trial stage of the funnel the platform underperforms the firm’s customized one-on-one support because available information does not resolve uncertainty in supplier credibility and product authenticity. Having an influencer on the platform, albeit not an expert on this product, vouching for its credibility helps resolve this funnel-holdup problem. From a theoretical perspective this paper provides suggestive evidence for referent influence and credibility signaling on social media platforms and their consequences for new product trial. The authors also provide direct empirical evidence on how information facilitates learning; a phenomenon typically assumed as being present in marketing studies estimating learning models.

Medicinal plants and phytotherapy in Iran: Glorious history, current status and future prospects

This study is an endeavour to analyse the status of medicinal plants research in Iran. Because of its exceptional phytogeography, Iran has a unique and diverse flora. It is estimated that, 8167 species of vascular plants are present in Iran of which about 2075 have medicinal importance. Situated at the heart of the Silk Road, Iran enjoys a mix of cultures providing a rich backbone for the development of traditional herbal medicine practices. Notwithstanding the brilliant history in traditional medicine and success of investigation to produce herbal medicines, attempts in recent decades, face many challenges. Many text and paper about these concerns were never translated in English. Strong need was felt to record such data of medicinal plants of Iran, their conservation status and related information. The scattered literature over medicinal plants of Iran were collected, analysed and presented in this review, highlighting not only their therapeutic potential but also concerns about product authenticity, quality, safety and efficacy. This will provide ways for future scientific research in this area. Awareness of critical issues in traditional medicinal herbs can play a pivotal role in the discovery and development of plant based drugs and to sustain consumer confidence.

Multi-element Analysis and Geographical Origin Classification of Italian (Calabrian) Wines

Background and Objectives: In this article, a comprehensive study was carried out for food authenticity evaluation through chemometric analyses, correlating botanical and geographical origins with food chemical composition. Methods: A total of eighteen Calabrian red, rose and white wines were analyzed through Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results: The mineral concentrations, determined by ICP-MS in the investigated wine samples, followed the subsequent order: K > P > Mg > Na > Ca > Fe > Cu > Zn > Mn > V. : The 2D Scatterplot and loading plot (Principal Component Analysis) showed that all red, rose and white wine samples from “Cirò” DOP area were grouped in the fourth, second and third quadrant, respectively, clearly separated from each other. Samples from “Cirò” red showed positive PC1 and were characterized by higher K, Fe, Mn, Na, V and Zn concentrations. Moreover, the points corresponding to two red wines from the “Terre di Cosenza” DOP area fall into the first quadrant; those corresponding to two rose wines from the “Donnici” and “Sant’Anna di Isola di Capo Rizzuto” DOP areas fall into the third and fourth quadrants, respectively; the point corresponding to a white wine from the “Donnici” DOP area falls into the second quadrant. Conclusions: Experimental results demonstrated that it is possible to strictly relate, through the PCA, wines to their geographical and botanical provenance, thus becoming a useful tool for evaluating the product authenticity and guaranteeing it to the consumers.