The characterization of bioactive components of virgin olive oil from nine varieties (Cuquillo, Empeltre, Manzanilla, Cornicabra, Picual, Arbequina, Lechin, Picudo, and Hojiblanca) has been carried out. Carotenoids, chlorophylls, α-tocopherol, fatty acids, total phenols, and individual phenols were determined. The antioxidant capacity was evaluated by 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2′-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiaziline-6-sulfonate) radical scavenging capacity assay, ferric reducing antioxidant potential assay, and oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay. Twelve phenolic compounds were detected and quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection. Dialdehydic form of elenolic acid linked to tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol, oleuropein, and ligstroside aglycones were the major components in all the samples. Principal component analysis confirmed that Manzanilla, Lechin, Cuquillo, and Hojiblanca var. were the most similar. Furthermore, these results showed that the antioxidant capacity measured by different assays was highly influenced by the phenolic content, especially the dialdehydic form of elenolic acid linked to tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol.

Virgin olive oil is inevitably subject to an oxidation process during storage that can affect its stability and quality due to off-flavors that develop before the oil surpasses its ‘best before’ date. Many parameters are involved in the oxidation process at moderate conditions. Therefore, a multiparametric study is necessary to establish a link between physico-chemical changes and sensory quality degradation in a real storage experiment. In this context, a storage experiment of 27 months was performed for four monovarietal virgin olive oils, bottled in transparent 500-mL PET bottles and subjected to conditions close to a supermarket scenario. Volatile composition, quality parameters and phenolic compounds were determined monthly. Simultaneously, an accredited sensory panel assessed their sensory characteristics. The stability of the fresh samples was also studied with the oxidative stability index (OSI) and mesh cell-FTIR. (E)-2-hexenal, (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol and (E)-2-hexen-1-ol were identified as markers of the fruity attribute. Hexanal and nonanal were also identified as compounds that were associated with the rise of median of defect during storage. Some disagreements were observed between the sensory assessment and the OSI analyzed by Rancimat. However, the increase of concentration of rancid markers agreed with the increase of aldehyde band measured with mesh cell-FTIR.