The effect of olive varieties on fatty acid composition and tocopherol contents of cold pressed virgin olive oils

In this study, fatty acid composition and tocopherol contents of cold pressed olive oils belonged to Ayvalık, Gemlik, Domat, Çilli, Çöpaşı and Söbüaşı varieties were determined. The fatty acid composition of the olive oils showed differences depending on the olive variety. The major fatty acids such as oleic, linoleic and palmitic acids were found as 62.49-68.53%; 8.30-17.93%; 14.39-19.47%, respectively. The highest oleic, linoleic and palmitic acid contents were determined in the varieties of Çilli (68.53%), Söbüaşı (17.93%) and Gemlik (19.47%), respectively. Palmitic, oleic and linoleic fatty acids of the local varieties such as Çilli, Çöpaşı, Söbüaşı were similar to those of Ayvalık and Gemlik varieties. The most abundant isomer of tocopherol in olive oils was α-tocopherol (18.22-36.02 mg/100g). The highest α-and γ-tocopherols were observed in olive oils of Söbüaşı variety (36.02 mg/100g) and Gemlik variety (8.12 mg/100g), respectively. It is concluded that the olive variety is an important factor on the fatty acid composition and tocopherol content of the olive oil.