Ultrahigh-Pressure Liquid Chromatography Triple-Quadrupole Tandem Mass Spectrometry Quantitation of Polyphenols and Secoiridoids in California-Style Black Ripe Olives and Dry Salt-Cured Olives

The chemical composition of finished table olive products is influenced by the olive variety and the processing method used to debitter or cure table olives. Herein, a rapid ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography triple-quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry method, using dynamic multiple reaction monitoring, was developed for the quantitation of 12 predominant phenolic and secoiridoid compounds in olive fruit, including hydroxytyrosol, oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol-4-<i>O</i>-glucoside, luteolin-7-<i>O</i>-glucoside, rutin, verbascoside, oleoside-11-methyl ester, 2,6-dimethoxy-<i>p</i>-benzoquinone, phenolic acids (chlorogenic and <i>o</i>-coumaric acids), oleuropein aglycone, and ligstroside aglycone. Levels of these compounds were measured in fresh and California-style black ripe processed Manzanilla olives and two dry salt-cured olive varieties (Mission from California and Throuba Thassos from Greece). Results indicate that the variety and debittering processing method have strong impact on the profile of phenolic and secoiridoid compounds in table olives. The dry salt-cured olives contained higher amounts of most compounds studied, especially oleuropein (1459.5 ± 100.1 μg/g), whereas California-style black ripe olives had a significant reduction or loss of these bioactive compounds (e.g., oleuropein level at 36.7 ± 3.1 μg/g)

Direct Measurement of Oleocanthal and Oleacein Levels in Olive Oil by Quantitative ¹H NMR. Establishment of a New Index for the Characterization of Extra Virgin Olive Oils

A new method for direct measurement of the oleocanthal and oleacein levels in olive oil by quantitative ¹H NMR was developed. The method was applied to the study of 175 monovarietal commercial Greek and California olive oil samples. The main findings were as follows: (1) There was a significant variation concerning the concentrations of oleocanthal and oleacein among the studied samples. Their concentrations ranged from nondetectable to 355 mg/kg and their sum (index D1) from 0 to 501 mg/kg. (2) There are olive varieties that independent of geographic origin and harvest time produce oil that contains both compounds in low levels. (3) There is a positive correlation of a high level of oleocanthal and oleacein in olive oils with the early time of harvest. Although there is a need for more extensive study, a new index for the characterization of extra virgin olive oils, which is a combination of D1 = oleocanthal + oleacein level and D2 = oleocanthal/oleacein ratio, seems to be very useful

Quantitative Measurement of Major Secoiridoid Derivatives in Olive Oil Using qNMR. Proof of the Artificial Formation of Aldehydic Oleuropein and Ligstroside Aglycon Isomers

A previously developed method for measurement of oleocanthal and oleacein in olive oil by quantitative ¹H NMR was expanded to include the measurement of the monoaldehydic forms of oleuropein and ligstroside aglycons. The method was validated and applied to the study of 340 monovarietal Greek and Californian olive oils from 23 varieties and for a 3-year period. A wide variation concerning the concentrations of all four secoiridoids was recorded. The concentration of each one ranged from nondetectable to 711 mg/kg and the sum of the four major secoiridoids (named as D3) ranged from nondetectable to 1534 mg/kg. Examination of the NMR profile of the olive oil extract before and after contact with normal or reversed stationary chromatography phase proved the artificial formation of the 5<i>S</i>,8<i>S</i>,9<i>S</i> aldehydic forms of oleuropein and ligstroside aglycon isomers during chromatography. Finally, methyl elenolate was identified for the first time as a minor constituent of olive oil

Oleocanthalic Acid, a Chemical Marker of Olive Oil Aging and Exposure to a High Storage Temperature with Potential Neuroprotective Activity

The investigation of olive oils stored for a period of 24 months under appropriate conditions (25 °C, dark place, and airtight container) led to the identification of a new major phenolic ingredient, which was named oleocanthalic acid. The structure of the new compound was elucidated using one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance in combination with tandem mass spectrometry. The new compound is an oxidation product of oleocanthal and is found in fresh oils in very low concentrations. The concentration of oleocanthalic acid increased with storage time, while the oleocanthal concentration decreased. A similar increase of the oleocanthalic acid/oleocanthal ratio was achieved after exposure of olive oil to 60 °C for 14 days. Although the presence of an oxidized derivative of decarboxymethylated ligstroside aglycon had been reported, it is the first time that its structure is characterized. The isolated compound could induce the expression of amyloid-β major transport proteins as well as tight junctions expressed at the blood–brain barrier, suggesting that oleocanthalic acid could be beneficial against Alzheimer’s disease