ON THE DETERMINATION OF MINOR PHENOLIC-ACIDS OF VIRGIN OLIVE OIL BY RP-HPLC

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.