Oxidative stability, phenolic compounds and antioxidant potential of a virgin olive oil enriched with natural bioactive compounds.

The aim of this research was to evaluate strategies for the development of a virgin olive oil (VOO) enriched with aqueous extracts of olive leaf and cake to increase the necessary dose in the diet of phenolic compounds with a natural product, as phenolic compounds are involved on the healthy properties of olive oil. Different extraction procedures were evaluated with the aim of increasing the phenol content and antioxidant potential of extracts of olive leaf and cake. As leaves extract presented a higher total phenolic content, it was characterized in order to determine its phenolic profile, and was employed to enrich VOO. Diverse procedures were used to prepare enriched VOO with the leaves extract, and finally the effects of phenol enrichment were evaluated based on the antioxidant potential and oxidative stability of the prepared phenol-enriched virgin olive oils. These enriched VOOs increased significantly the content in phenolic compounds, antioxidant potential and oxidative stability 40, 4 and 1.5 fold more, respectively, than the Control oil. Furthermore, the addition of lecithin had a positive effect both on the phenolic compounds content, and on the antioxidant potential of the oils. Besides, the use of the olive leaves extract, with and without lecithin respectively, supposes a strategy potential for reducing the harmful effects that inflicts long-term preservation of VOOs and its possible deterioration.