Salvatore Camposeo

Research and Innovative Approaches to Obtain Virgin Olive Oils with a Higher Level of Bioactive Constituents

Publisher Summary Phenolic compounds are important for the sensory and nutritional qualities of Virgin Olive Oil (VOO). During the extraction process, phenolic substances undergo chemical and biochemical changes that modify their structure and influence their presence in the final product. High-quality virgin olive oil can be produced only from healthy, fresh fruits at the right ripening grade. The final quality of virgin olive oil and the level of bioactive compounds arise inside the orchard. The phenolic content depends both quantitatively and qualitatively on its genetic makeup. After choosing the best harvesting time for each cultivar in each particular geographical area, the other two main factors that are crucial for establishing the final quality should be considered: the harvesting methods and the post-harvesting storage. A deeper knowledge of the working parameters is necessary to diversify the oil quality. Malaxing conditions can modify the phenol contents in virgin olive oil and, as a consequence, its nutritional and sensory properties. It is important to develop innovative solutions to increase oil yields and improve quality, reducing at the same time the environmental impact of the process. Emerging technologies, such as pulsed electric fields, microwaves and ultrasound are promising techniques suitable for plant improvement and optimization. Innovations are also being developed in the sector of pomace olive oil, aiming at obtaining a final product richer in functional minor components.

Effects of Mulching Materials on Soil and Performance of cv. Nero di Troia Grapevines in the Puglia Region, Southeastern Italy

The responses in soil conditions, vine growth, and physiological, yield, and composition components of cv. Nero di Troia to the application of synthetic and organic mulches were studied for two years (2006–2007 and 2007–2008). The effects of the application in the vine rows of two synthetic mulches (geotextile as polypropylene and black polyethylene) and an organic mulch (exhausted olive pomace 3- and 6-cm thick) were compared to a control (weed mowing) in an organic vineyard. Throughout the trial, we conducted soil and leaf analyses, weed surveys, and phytotoxicity tests and measured vegetative activity, leaf gas exchange and water status, yield, and composition components. The exhausted olive pomace showed positive effects on some soil fertility variables and on vine physiology (stomatal conductance, transpiration, and net assimilation). Black polyethylene and geotextile provided good control of the weeds, especially in the first year, but positive results were also obtained with the exhausted olive pomace. Yield and composition components of grape were unaffected by any of the organic and synthetic mulches compared to weed mowing. The exhausted olive pomace provided good control of weeds, improved the fertility of the soil, and could be acceptable in terms of sustainability. The mode of action of the exhausted olive pomace was both physical and phytochemical through the release of phytotoxic compounds.

GBS-derived SNP catalogue unveiled wide genetic variability and geographical relationships of Italian olive cultivars

Information on the distribution of genetic variation is essential to preserve olive germplasm from erosion and to recover alleles lost through selective breeding. In addition, knowledge on population structure and genotype–phenotype associations is crucial to support modern olive breeding programs that must respond to new environmental conditions imposed by climate change and novel biotic/abiotic stressors. To further our understanding of genetic variation in the olive, we performed genotype-by-sequencing on a panel of 94 Italian olive cultivars. A reference-based and a reference-independent SNP calling pipeline generated 22,088 and 8,088 high-quality SNPs, respectively. Both datasets were used to model population structure via parametric and non parametric clustering. Although the two pipelines yielded a 3-fold difference in the number of SNPs, both described wide genetic variability among our study panel and allowed individuals to be grouped based on fruit weight and the geographical area of cultivation. Multidimensional scaling analysis on identity-by-state allele-sharing values as well as inference of population mixtures from genome-wide allele frequency data corroborated the clustering pattern we observed. These findings allowed us to formulate hypotheses about geographical relationships of Italian olive cultivars and to confirm known and uncover novel cases of synonymy.

Agricultural reuse of municipal wastewater through an integral water reclamation management

The DESERT-prototype, a state-of-the-art compact combination of water treatment technologies based on filtration and solar-based renewable energy, was employed to reclaim water for agricultural irrigation. Water reclaimed through the DESERT-prototype (PW) from a secondary effluent of a wastewater treatment plant, as well as conventional irrigation water (CW) and the secondary effluent (SW) itself, were employed to cultivate baby romaine lettuces in a greenhouse in Murcia (Spain), by means of drip and sprinkler irrigation methods, thus establishing six treatments. Assessments of physicochemical and microbiological quality of irrigation water, as well as agronomic and microbiological quality of crops from all treatments, showed that results associated to PW complied in all cases with relevant standards and guidelines. In contrast, results linked to SW and CW presented certain non-compliance cases of water and crop microbiological quality. These assessments lead to conclude that the DESERT-prototype is an appropriate technology for safe water reclamation oriented to agricultural production, that can be complemented by a proper irrigation method in reaching safety targets.