The objective of this study was the detection and determination of fou
r minor phenolic acids present in the polar fraction of olive oil. Gal
lic, homovanillic, caffeic and ferulic acids, were separated on RP-HPL
C and detected by using three different systems. Detection limits were
determined for the four compounds. Variable wavelength UV detectors w
ere found to be more suitable than diode array for quantitative inform
ation. However, diode array was required for qualitative information f
or unknown components present in olive oil. For the determination of s
ensitive phenolic compouds present in minor amounts the use of a more
sensitive system, such as the electrochemical detector, was necessary.