The Journal "Agriculture and Forestry"
Časopis "Poljoprivreda i šumarstvo"
- Since 1955 -
Year 2012, Volume 58 Issue 2
| Year : | 2012 |
| Volume : | 58 |
| Issue : | 2 |
| Authors : | Dritan TOPI, Fadil THOMAJ, Eltion HALIMI |
| Title : | VIRGIN OLIVE OIL PRODUCTION FROM THE MAJOR OLIVE VARIETIES IN ALBANIA |
| Abstract : | The implementation of a sustainable economy has gained momentum around the world. Limited resources for development in small and developing countries have forced them to address this new focus in areas that show considerable possibilities. The Republic of Albania has put into place a national scheme to increase the olive plantations and olive oil production. The commercial potential of Olive Oil from the main autochthonous olive varieties shows promise for the near future. Olive culture is one of the most viable agricultural activities in remote arid areas such as the Southern and Interior Regions. Improving the quality of the product is imperative and requires the governmental implementation of the Good Agriculture Practices as well as the Good Manufacture Practices. This can be done through appropriate oleo culture, i.e. the cultivation of autochthonous cultivars. Efforts to develop commercial products from the varieties ‘Kalinjoti’, ‘Ulli i bardhë Tirana’ (UBT) could increase the income for the rural economy and moreso for the national economy. The study on these cultivars covers the oil content, the fatty acid composition, the antioxidant capacity, and the total polyphenol content. The Kalinjoti cultivar is the most abundant, comprising 50% of all Albanian olive trees, while Ulli i bardhë Tirana covers only a small area. The oleic acid content varies from 74.59% (Kalinjoti) to 75.62% (Ulli bardhë Tirana). The content of the palmitic acid is relatively low to Kalinjoti (9.41%) and UBT (10.71%). The levels of linoleic acid are considered relatively low in UBT (6.99%) and higher in Kalinjoti (9.80%). The total phenol contents expressed through gallic acid equivalents (GAE) in the studied olive cultivars varies from 421.30±3.27 GAE mg/kg oil (UBT) and 216.63 ±10.76 GAE mg/kg oil (Kalinjoti). The results achieved indicate the quality of the mono-varietal Virgin Olive Oils from these varieties. |
| For citation : | |
| Keywords : | Virgin Olive Oil, Native Cultivar, Kalinjoti, Ulliri bardhë Tirana, Sustainable Agriculture |
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