Relationship between geographical origin and fatty acid composition of extra-virgin olive oils produced in three areas of eastern Sicily

The main fatty acids of ill extra-virgin olive oils from eastern Sicily wer e used to differentiate the oils according to the geographical area of prod uction (Enna, Etna, Plains of Catania). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Discriminant Analysis (DA) were applied to the data. Overall, 82.88% of the samples were correctly classified, while 4% from Enna, 36% from Etna a nd 22.22% from the Plains of Catania were incorrectly classified. To verify the statistical model with the original data, 11 samples of unknown origin were added to the data set. The results of DA showed a high percentage of wrong classification (54.54) among oils of unknown origin. This initial inv estigation can contribute to setting necessary DOC accomplishment factors.