H-1 AND C-13 NMR OF VIRGIN OLIVE OIL - AN OVERVIEW

The authentication and quality assessment of virgin olive oil were per formed using high-resolution H-1 and C-13 NMR spectroscopy. An overvie w of the various determinations currently assessed is presented with e mphasis on the detection of adulteration with foreign (seed) oils and esterified or refined olive and olive-pomace oils, Recent results on t he NMR analysis of natural compounds (diacylglycerols, free fatty acid s, aldehydes, polyphenols, etc.) related to the quality-freshness of v irgin olive oil are also reported. The possible contribution of high-r esolution NMR to the authentication of geographical origin of virgin o live oil is discussed. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.