Effect of olive leaf extract rich in oleuropein on the quality of virgin olive oil.

Effect of olive leaf extract rich in oleuropein on the quality of virgin olive oil was investigated. After extracting the dried and ground olive leaves with the assistance of homogenizer, the dried extract was partially dissolved into the oil to increase the oxidative stability of the oil. A face central composite design through response surface methodology was used to investigate the effects of enrichment conditions (extract content, time and mixing speed) on the responses, total phenolic content and oleuropein concentration of the enriched olive oil. Furthermore, antioxidant activity of the oil was determined by 2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt method. Additionally, oxidative stability of the enriched oil was assessed by the Rancimat method. Total carotenoid content, peroxide value, α-tocopherol and chlorophyll were also measured, respectively. Addition of 0.15% natural antioxidant increased the stability of the oil (≈46%). The antioxidant capacity of the enriched oil was almost 2.5 times higher than that of the untreated oil. Furthermore, olive leaf extract improved the quality of the virgin olive oil with respect to tocopherol, carotenoid and chlorophyll contents and peroxide value, respectively. The leaf sampling was also performed both in the autumn and summer to evaluate the possible seasonal effects on phenolic profile in order to be careful for selecting the proper harvesting time to apply the extract into the oil.