Graziano Sani

Morphological evaluation of olive germplasm present in Tuscany region

This work was done to quantify, evaluate and preserve the genetic variation of the olive (Olea europaea L.) from Tuscany and to look for ready-to-use valuable characters. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to compare fruit, pit, leaf and growth habit characteristics among 83 accessions. Clustering of cultivars would suggest the existence of a strictly related genetic base with little morphological differences. Numerical analysis of phenotypical characters enabled to discriminate among accessions and to reduce the number of cultivars for further studies. It can be used as a rapid method to classify and compare phenotypes within large olive collections. The collected germplasm can be a useful sources of variability for those attributes not traditionally accounted for in olive plant selection. Several late-ripening cultivars, interesting for oil-quality; two cultivars with suited for low-pruning cultivation growth habit as well as four accessions with peculiar leaves, employable as ornamental, were identified. Furthermore, some cultivar with different initial growth potential, susceptible to be used for wood production or high density plantation, were catalogued. Data and photographs of most of the accessions here described were transferred to Internet where are available for consultation at the address http: //www.area.fi.cnr.it/olivo/olivit.htm

Spectral nephelometry for making extravirgin olive oil fingerprints

In spectral nephelometry, absorption spectroscopy and nephelometry are innovatively combined to provide simultaneous online monitoring of color and turbidity of edible oils. Spectral nephelometry instrumentation consists of an optoelectronic device that measures the absorption spectrum of the oil sample at different angles. Data processing, carried out by principal component analysis (PCA), allows identification of the oil sample and creates a two-dimensional map as a fingerprint of oil types.

Absorption spectroscopy and multi-angle scattering measurements in the visible spectral range for the geographic classification of Italian extra virgin olive oils

Absorption spectroscopy and multi-angle scattering measurements in the visible spectral range are innovately used to analyze samples of extra virgin olive oils coming from selected areas of Tuscany, a famous Italian region for the production of extra virgin olive oil. The measured spectra are processed by means of the Principal Component Analysis method, so as to create a 3D map capable of clustering the Tuscan oils within the wider area of Italian extra virgin olive oils.

Flavonoids from Olive Leaves ("Olea Europaea" L.) as Affected by Light

The effect of green house on the phenolic content of olive leaves (Olea europaea L.) in seven genotypes was studied. A decrease of flavonoids was found in plants grown in green house in comparison to those grown in open air. This was found in all the genotypes. The mainly involved compounds are luteolin and luteolin-7-glucoside. When olive leaves are used as starting material for phytochemical extracts the ecological conditions under which plants are grown should attentively be considered.