Variability in volatile compounds from lipoxygenase pathway in extra virgin olive oils from Tuscan olive germoplasm by quantitative SPME/GC-MS.

A quantitative method, based on SPME GC-MS, for the quantification of volatile compounds derived from lipoxygenase pathway, considered the most important for the aroma of high-quality olive oil, was developed. The method was used to study the variation within the extra virgin olive oils from 67 cultivars of the Tuscan olive germplasm conserved at "Santa Paolina" experimental farm (Follonica, Italy). A great variability was observed among the 67 cultivars both for the total amount of volatile compounds and for the different ratios between the groups of volatile compounds from common precursors. The aim was to obtain basic information on the characteristics and the quality of the oils obtainable from nonwidely cultivated olive varieties. These data can support the reintroduction in the production chain of old autochthonous varieties and for exploitation in breeding programs as a source of positive characters to transmit to the progeny.