DETAILED AND EXHAUSTIVE STUDY OF THE AUTHENTICATION OF EUROPEAN VIRGIN OLIVE OILS BY SEXIA EXPERT-SYSTEM

The authentication of extra virgin olive oils from different regions o f Spain, Italy and Portugal, by means of their fatty acids, alcohols, sterols, methyl sterols and hydrocarbons content, has been investigate d. Multivariate statistical methods and Evidence's Theory were applied . The comparative study shows greater predictive ability using this th eory than the traditional statistical methods or expert systems that d o not implement the possibility theory. A detailed and exhaustive stud y of Italian (Tuscany and Basilicata), Portuguese and Spanish virgin o live oils has been made. Geographically coloured maps of the studied r egions are shown to strengthen the numerical results.