Comparative Evaluation of Different Targeted and Untargeted Analytical Approaches to Assess Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil Quality and Authentication
Sofia Drakopoulou,
Emmanouil Orfanakis,
Ioulia Karagiannaki,
Fragiskos Gaitis,
Stavroula Skoulika,
Andreas Papaioannou,
George Boukouvalas,
George Petropoulos,
Vassilios Katsoudas,
Renate Kontzedaki,
Aggelos Philippidis,
Aikaterini Zoumi,
Marilena Dasenaki,
Nikolaos S. Thomaidis,
Michalis Velegrakis
Affiliations
Sofia Drakopoulou
Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece
Emmanouil Orfanakis
Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (IESL-FORTH), 70013 Heraklion, Greece
Ioulia Karagiannaki
Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (IESL-FORTH), 70013 Heraklion, Greece
Fragiskos Gaitis
Food Analytical and Research Laboratories of Athens, Directorate of Laboratories, Hellenic Food Authority (EFET) 143 42, 31 Anagenniseos Str, Nea Philadelfeia, 11526 Athens, Greece
Stavroula Skoulika
Food Analytical and Research Laboratories of Athens, Directorate of Laboratories, Hellenic Food Authority (EFET) 143 42, 31 Anagenniseos Str, Nea Philadelfeia, 11526 Athens, Greece
Andreas Papaioannou
Food Analytical and Research Laboratories of Athens, Directorate of Laboratories, Hellenic Food Authority (EFET) 143 42, 31 Anagenniseos Str, Nea Philadelfeia, 11526 Athens, Greece
George Boukouvalas
Food Analytical and Research Laboratories of Athens, Directorate of Laboratories, Hellenic Food Authority (EFET) 143 42, 31 Anagenniseos Str, Nea Philadelfeia, 11526 Athens, Greece
George Petropoulos
Food Analytical and Research Laboratories of Athens, Directorate of Laboratories, Hellenic Food Authority (EFET) 143 42, 31 Anagenniseos Str, Nea Philadelfeia, 11526 Athens, Greece
Vassilios Katsoudas
Food Analytical and Research Laboratories of Athens, Directorate of Laboratories, Hellenic Food Authority (EFET) 143 42, 31 Anagenniseos Str, Nea Philadelfeia, 11526 Athens, Greece
Renate Kontzedaki
Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (IESL-FORTH), 70013 Heraklion, Greece
Aggelos Philippidis
Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (IESL-FORTH), 70013 Heraklion, Greece
Aikaterini Zoumi
Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (IESL-FORTH), 70013 Heraklion, Greece
Marilena Dasenaki
Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece
Nikolaos S. Thomaidis
Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zografou, 15771 Athens, Greece
Michalis Velegrakis
Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas (IESL-FORTH), 70013 Heraklion, Greece
Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is a key component of the Mediterranean diet, with several health benefits derived from its consumption. Moreover, due to its eminent market position, EVOO has been thoroughly studied over the last several years, aiming at its authentication, but also to reveal the chemical profile inherent to its beneficial properties. In the present work, a comparative study was conducted to assess Greek EVOOs’ quality and authentication utilizing different analytical approaches, both targeted and untargeted. 173 monovarietal EVOOs from three emblematic Greek cultivars (Koroneiki, Kolovi and Adramytiani), obtained during the harvesting years of 2018–2020, were analyzed and quantified as per their fatty acids methyl esters (FAMEs) composition via the official method (EEC) No 2568/91, as well as their bioactive content through liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) methodology. In addition to FAMEs analysis, EVOO samples were also analyzed via HRMS-untargeted metabolomics and optical spectroscopy techniques (visible absorption, fluorescence and Raman). The data retrieved from all applied techniques were analyzed with Machine Learning methods for the authentication of the EVOOs’ variety. The models’ predictive performance was calculated through test samples, while for further evaluation 30 commercially available EVOO samples were also examined in terms of variety. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study where different techniques from the fields of standard analysis, spectrometry and optical spectroscopy are applied to the same EVOO samples, providing strong insight into EVOOs chemical profile and a comparative evaluation through the different platforms.
