The aim of this work was to evaluate the criteria established by the Resolution 22/77/MS, by the Codex Alimentarius, and by the European Union for the identity and quality of olive oil. Twenty samples from ten different brands collected in two separate occasions were analysed. All samples were examined for labelling, acidity, absortivity at 230 and 270 nm, iodine index, sterols and fatty acids composition, elaidic acid and squalene content. One out of the national brands complied with the label. The acidity was found to be in the range of 0.15%-0.75% C18:1; absortivity has shown the Brazilian brands were mixtures of virgin and refined oils. The range found for iodine index was 85.88-127.46 gl2/100g. All of the locally made oils were outside specifications for sterol content. The fatty acids composition suggested addition of soybean oil. The local brands showed a large amount of transoleic acid (6.6-15.5). The squalene content was in the low range of 14-344 mg/100g. All imported oils complied with the international labelling specifications. The values for acidity, absortivity have indicated that samples were mixtures of virgin and refined oil. The iodine index range (76.43-85.31 gl2/100g) was within the specification. Only one out of the samples had transoleic acid content above specified. The range for squalene content was 183-476 mg/100g, which is considered characteristic for olive oil. It is concluded that the Brazilian specifications shall be harmonised with the existing international standards in order to give protection to the consumer of olive oil against fraud and malpractice.
olive oil; quality control; brazilian laws atualization
232 nm
232 nm
270 nm