OPTIMIZATION BY MATHEMATICAL PROCEDURES OF 2 DYNAMIC HEADSPACE TECHNIQUES FOR QUANTIFYING VIRGIN OLIVE OIL VOLATILES

Two dynamic headspace techniques, using activated charcoal with on-column injection and Tenax TA with thermal desorption and cold trap injection, were studied and applied to Spanish virgin olive oil samples. Optimum responses taking into account an overall desirability function were detected by Simplex method and response surfaces were built. Isobutyl acetate, among three considered, was the best standard for both techniques. Finally, the number of trials and injections (testing schemes) for both techniques were studied considering the variance and laboratory expenses and time as factors to decide the optimum.