Comparison and Discrimination of Two Major Monocultivar Extra Virgin Olive Oils in the Southern Region of Peloponnese, According to Specific Compositional/Traceability Markers.

The qualitative characteristics and chemical parameters were determined for 112 virgin olive oil samples of the two dominant olive cultivars in the southern region of Peloponnese, cv. Koroneiki and cv. Mastoides. As no relevant data exist for this geographical area, yet one of the most important olive-growing regions in Greece, this study aimed to evaluate and evidence the differences on specific chemical characteristics of the oils because of their botanical origin. Olive oils of Koroneiki variety were characterized by a three-fold lower concentration in heptadecanoic and heptadecenoic acid compared to oils of cv. Mastoides. In addition, Mastoides oils exhibited higher ß-sitosterol and total sterols concentration and lower Δ-5-avenasterol and total erythodiol content compared to Koroneiki olive oils Analysis of variance and principal component analysis of the GC-analyzed olive oil samples showed substantial compositional differences in the fatty acid and sterolic profile between Koroneiki and Mastoides cultivars. Hence, results demonstrate that the fatty acid and sterolic profile can be used as exceptional compositional marker for olive oil authenticity.

Preliminary Study and Observation of "Kalamata PDO" Extra Virgin Olive Oil, in the Messinia Region, Southwest of Peloponnese (Greece).

While there has been considerable research related to Koroneiki cultivar in different areas in Greece, no systematic work has been carried out on olive oil analysis from one of the most important olive-growing regions in Greece, located southwest of Peloponnese, Messinia. This work is the first systematic attempt to study the profile of Messinian olive oils and evaluate to what extent they comply with the recent EU regulations in order to be classified as "Kalamata Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)"-certified products. Quality indices were measured and detailed analyses of sterols, triterpenic dialcohols, fatty acid composition and wax content were conducted in a total of 71 samples. Messinian olive oils revealed a high-quality profile but, at the same time, results demonstrated major fluctuations from the established EU regulatory limits on their chemical parameters. Results showed low concentrations of total sterols, with 66.7% of the examined samples below the regulated set limits for Kalamata PDO status; high concentrations of campesterol, with a total of 21.7%, exceeding the legal maximum of 4.0%; and a slight tendency of high total erythrodiol content. Fatty acid composition and wax content were within the normal range expected for the extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) category. However, the narrower established PDO limits in specific fatty acids showed some fluctuations in a few cases.

Reliability and maintainability analysis of bread production line.

The statistical analysis of the bread production line of the failure and repair data at machine and line levels was displayed. The experiment covers a period of twenty-five months. The best fit of the failure data between the common theoretical distributions was found and its parameters were computed. The reliability and hazard rate modes for all machines and the entire production line were calculated as well. The models could prove to be a useful tool to assess the current conditions, and to predict the reliability for upgrading the maintenance policy of the production line. It was pointed out that (a) the availability of the bread production line is 90.74% and went down to 86.76% because the equipment's failures cause an additional production gap in the line, (b) the 53.5% of all failures occurred at the bread machine, cooling tower machine, and volumetric-divider machine, and (c) the machines of the bread production line that displayed increasing hazard rate functions were identified. This analysis will be very useful in terms of identifying the occurring and latent problems in manufacturing process of bread and improve it.

Irradiation applications in vegetables and fruits: a review.

There is an increasing trend both in advanced countries and many developing countries to centrally process fresh fruits and vegetables, properly packaged, for distribution and marketing. Irradiation technology proved to be effective in reducing post-harvest losses, and controlling the stored product insects and the microorganisms. Gamma irradiation was employed to restrain potato sprouting and kill pests in grain. Irradiation proved to be extremely beneficial in terms of prolonging the fruit and vegetable shelf life by 3-5 times. In order not to expose fruits and vegetables to high irradiation doses another approach is to use the "hurdle technology," that is to apply more than one technology toward better quality and longer shelf life. This review summarizes a) all the obtained results in this field (either irradiation on its own or in conjunction with other technologies) on fruits and vegetables in 11 figures and eight (8) very comprehensive tables, and b) provides an insight in the various methods (EPR, TL, Comet assay among others) for detection of irradiated foods.