Identification of Turkish Extra Virgin Olive Oils Produced in Different Regions With Volatile Compounds

Abstract

This study aims to characterize the composition of the volatile compounds in Turkish extra virgin olive oils (EVOOs) produced from three cultivars-Ayvalik, Gemlik, and Memecik-harvested in the South Marmara, South Aegean, and North Aegean regions during the 2014/15 and 2015/16 crop seasons. A total of 135 EVOO samples were obtained using industrial-scale 2-phase and 3-phase extraction systems. These samples were then analyzed using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with gas chromatography (GC). Among the twelve volatiles identified, trans-2-hexen-1-ol and cis-2-penten-1-ol exhibited the highest levels of abundance across all samples and seasons. Subsequently, 1-penten-3-one, hexanal, and cis-3-hexenyl acetate were identified, and it was determined that these contribute to the green and fruity sensory profile of high-quality olive oil. Two- and three-factor analyses of variance (ANOVA) revealed that volatile concentrations were significantly influenced by variety, harvest season, and extraction system. It is significant that 1-penten-3-one was found to be significantly influenced by both season and variety (p < 0.05), while 1-penten-3-ol exhibited a multifactorial dependency, with significant two-way interactions (season x variety, season x system, variety x system). Furthermore, PLS-DA-based classification successfully distinguished samples according to olive variety, indicating that volatile profiles could serve as reliable markers for authenticity and geographic origin. These findings underscore the potential of using volatile compounds as quality indicators and for geographic labelling in the olive oil industry.