Characterization of the volatile fraction of olive fruits from Trás-os-Montes region: cvs. Cobrançosa, Madural and Verdeal Transmontana

A fracção volátil das matérias-primas exerce um papel fundamental tanto na qualidade final dos produtos alimentares bem como no que diz respeito à sua aceitabilidade por parte do consumidor. Em Trás-os-Montes, uma região com forte tradição olivícola, a qualidade dos produtos do olival (azeite, azeitonas de mesa e pastas de azeitona) passa indiscutivelmente pela fracção volátil dos mesmos, sendo o factor varietal preponderante. Neste sentido, pretendeu-se caracterizar a fracção volátil das três cultivares de azeitona mais representativas de Trás-os-Montes (Cvs. Cobrançosa, Madural e Verdeal Transmontana) por HS-SPME e GC/MS. A azeitona foi colhida próximo do momento óptimo de colheita (índice de maturação = 3; 3ª semana de Outubro 2011), com 5 lotes por cultivar. As diferentes cultivares influenciaram tanto qualitativamente como quantitativamente a fracção volátil das azeitonas, tendo estas sido caracterizadas maioritariamente por hidrocarbonetos (tolueno), álcoois ((Z)-3-hexen- 1-ol e 1-hexanol), aldeídos (hexanal, heptanal, benzaldeído, nonanal, decanal), ésteres ((Z)-3-hexen-1-ol acetato), cetonas (6-metil-5-hepten-2-ona), monoterpenos (α-pineno, limoneno, L-mentol) e sesquiterpenos ((+)- ciclosativeno, α-copaeno, α-muuroleno). Os hidrocarbonetos, álcoois e aldeídos foram as classes químicas presentes com maior abundância, sendo o tolueno, o (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol e o nonanal os voláteis mais abundantes. O (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol juntamente com o hexanal estão associados a sensações verdes e a erva, característica sensorialmente considerada como um atributo. A fracção volátil é específica de acordo com a variedade de azeitona em estudo. Um aspecto a ter em conta a quando da elaboração de produtos à base de azeitona, tendo em vista também a aceitabilidade por parte do consumidor.The volatile fraction of raw materials plays a fundamental role in the quality of final food products as well as concerning consumers’ acceptability. In Trás-os-Montes, a region with strong tradition in olive growing, the quality of olive products (olive oil, table olives and olive paste) is undoubtedly related with the volatile fraction of the fruits, being preponderant the varietal factor. In this sense, it was intended to characterize the volatile fraction of three of the most representative olive cultivars from Trás-os-Montes (cvs. Cobrançosa, Madural and Verdeal Transmontana) by HS-SPME and GC/MS. The olives were collected close to the optimal harvest time (maturation index = 3; 3rd week of October 2011), with 5 samples per cultivar. The different cultivars affected both qualitatively and quantitatively the volatile fraction being olives mainly characterized by hydrocarbons (toluene), alcohols ((Z)-3-hexen-1-ol and 1-hexanol), aldehydes (hexanal, heptanal, benzaldehyde, nonanal, and decanal) esters ((Z)-3-hexen-1-ol acetate), ketones (6-methyl-5-hepten-2- one), monoterpenes (α-pinene, limonene, L-menthol) and sesquiterpenes ((+)-cyclosativene, α-copaene, α- muurolene). Hydrocarbons, alcohols and aldehydes were the most abundant chemical classes, being toluene, (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol and nonanal the volatile compounds in higher amounts. (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol together with hexanal are associated to green sensations and cut grass, a sensory characteristic considered an attribute. The volatile fraction is specific according to the olive variety in study. An aspect to be considered during the elaboration of products based on olives, also taking in account consumers’ acceptability.Ricardo Malheiro agradece à Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), POPH-QREN e FSE pela bolsa de doutoramento concedida (SFRH/BD/74675/2010). Este trabalho é financiado por Fundos FEDER através do Programa Operacional Fatores de Competitividade – COMPETE e por Fundos Nacionais através da FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia no âmbito do projeto EXCL/AGR-PRO/0591/2012 “Protecção da oliveira em modo de produção sustentável num cenário de alterações climáticas globais: ligação entre infraestruturais ecológicas e funções do ecossistema”info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Systematic review on n-3 and n-6 PUFA intake in European countries in light of the current recommendations – focus on specific population groups

Background: Earlier reviews indicated that in many countries adults, children and adolescents consume on an average less polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) than recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organisation/World Health Organisation. Summary: The intake of total and individual n-3 and n-6 PUFAs in European infants, children, adolescents, elderly and pregnant/lactating women was evaluated systematically. Results: The evaluations were done against recommendations of the European Food Safety Authority. Key Messages: Fifty-three studies from 17 different European countries reported an intake of total n-3 and n-6 PUFAs and/or individual n-3 or n-6 PUFAs in at least one of the specific population groups: 10 in pregnant women, 4 in lactating women, 3 in infants 6-12 months, 6 in children 1-3 years, 11 in children 4-9 years, 8 in adolescents 10-18 years and 11 in elderly >65 years. Mean linoleic acid intake was within the recommendation (4 energy percentage [E%]) in 52% of the countries, with inadequate intakes more likely in lactating women, adolescents and elderly. Mean alpha-linolenic acid intake was within the recommendation (0.5 E%) in 77% of the countries. In 26% of the countries, mean eicosapentaenoic acid and/or docosahexaenoic acid intake was as recommended. These results indicate that intake of n-3 and n-6 PUFAs may be suboptimal in specific population groups in Europe. (C) 2017 S. Karger AG, Base

Supplementary Material for: Systematic Review on N-3 and N-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Intake in European Countries in Light of the Current Recommendations - Focus on Specific Population Groups

<p><b><i>Background:</i></b> Earlier reviews indicated that in many countries adults, children and adolescents consume on an average less polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) than recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organisation/World Health Organisation. <b><i>Summary:</i></b> The intake of total and individual n-3 and n-6 PUFAs in European infants, children, adolescents, elderly and pregnant/lactating women was evaluated systematically. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The evaluations were done against recommendations of the European Food Safety Authority. <b><i>Key Messages:</i></b> Fifty-three studies from 17 different European countries reported an intake of total n-3 and n-6 PUFAs and/or individual n-3 or n-6 PUFAs in at least one of the specific population groups: 10 in pregnant women, 4 in lactating women, 3 in infants 6-12 months, 6 in children 1-3 years, 11 in children 4-9 years, 8 in adolescents 10-18 years and 11 in elderly >65 years. Mean linoleic acid intake was within the recommendation (4 energy percentage [E%]) in 52% of the countries, with inadequate intakes more likely in lactating women, adolescents and elderly. Mean α-linolenic acid intake was within the recommendation (0.5 E%) in 77% of the countries. In 26% of the countries, mean eicosapentaenoic acid and/or docosahexaenoic acid intake was as recommended. These results indicate that intake of n-3 and n-6 PUFAs may be suboptimal in specific population groups in Europe.</p