Chemical and Sensory Properties of Olive Oil as Influenced by Different Sources of Irrigation Water

This research was conducted throughout the years 2008-2010 to study the influence of irrigation water quality on oil quality of ＂Nabali Muhassan＂ olive trees. Reclaimed municipal wastewater and fresh water were used twice a week using drip irrigation system. Rainfed olive trees of the same farm were taken as control. No significant differences were observed between rainfed, fresh water and reclaimed wastewater treatments in terms of acidity, peroxide values and UV absorbance of the extracted olive oil. Heavy metals and microbiological pathogens were not detected in all tested olive oil samples. Oleic acid was significantly higher in olive oil obtained from rainfed trees than irrigated trees. Linoleic acid content was significantly higher in reclaimed wastewater irrigated trees than the rainfed trees. Total polyphenol contents were significantly higher in oil obtained from rainfed olive trees than oil obtained from the irrigated olive trees. Results of organoleptic analysis showed no significant differences in the fruity attribute within treatments, while the bitter and pungent attributes were higher in olive oil obtained from rainfed trees as compared to that obtained from irrigated trees. No negative attributes were observed in oil obtained from the irrigated or rainfed trees and they were all classified as extra virgin grade.