Fatty acids, volatiles, sterols and triterpenic alcohols of six monovarietal Tunisian virgin olive oils

Fatty acids, volatiles, sterols, aliphatic and triterpenic alcohols of six monovarietal Tunisian virgin olive oils were analyzed. The results suggested that the compositional data concerning the above analytical fractions were effective in discriminating between varieties. The oils were found to contain high levels of oleic acid (up to 71.70% in the Oueslati variety). beta-Sitosterol (up to 85.46% in the Jdallou variety) and Delta 5-avenasterol (up to 30.97% in the El Hor variety) were the principal sterols in all samples; campesterol and stigmasterol were found at low levels. (E)-2-Hexenal was the main compound that characterizes the olive oil headspace of all samples. The other compounds identified were mainly C-6 aliphatic components.