BEHAVIOR OF SUPER-INTENSIVE SPANISH AND GREEK OLIVE CULTIVARS GROWN IN NORTHERN TUNISIA

This work was carried out on the characterization of virgin olive oils from Spanish cultivars: "Arbequina," "Arbequina I-18" and "Arbosana" and Greek one "Koroneiki" in northern Tunisia under high-density planting system. The quality and typicality of the oils were to be ascribed not only to the olive variety but in large part also to zone of plantation so that, the aim of this work was to study the behavior of these varieties and mainly changes in their oil composition under Tunisian pedo-climatic conditions. Analyses of major components (fatty acids and triacylglycerols) and minor ones (pigments and phenolic compounds) were carried out. Oxidative stability, free acidity, peroxide value, ultraviolet characteristics, accumulation and changes in fatty acid levels during fruit ripening were also analysed. Results showed significant differences between oils from the studied cultivars and the majority of the studied analytical parameters were greatly influenced by the cultivar-environment interaction. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The use of different cultivars, Spanish or from other countries could be interesting, based on their agronomical as well as their oil composition and sensorial profile. However, before using new cultivars or cultivars from other environments, they must be properly tested. Therefore, we have found that it's judicious to study the behavior of these varieties and mainly changes in their oil composition under Tunisian pedo-climatic conditions.