Climatic implication in bioactive compounds and fatty acids profile of olive oil derived from new olive (Olea europaea L.) genotypes in Central Italy

Given the current context of climate change, new olive genotypes may offer valuable variability for enhancing extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) quality in the Mediterranean region. This study evaluated five novel genotypes coming from breeding program (I77, N × N, Fs17 × C, I79, N1 × N3) cultivated in Central Italy. Olive oils were analyzed at two harvest times (mid-October, mid-November) over two consecutive seasons (2023 and 2024), focusing on chemical composition and its relationship to pedoclimatic conditions. Results showed that both harvest time and genotype significantly influence key oil parameters, including peroxide value, free acidity, carotenoid and chlorophyll content, α-tocopherol, and total phenolic content. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) revealed distinct fatty acid profile for most genotypes, except I79 and Fs17 × C, which showed similar profiles across years. As expected, oleacein, oleocanthal, and oleuropein predominated in I77 and Fs17 × C oils. Among all genotypes, I77 consistently exhibited higher total phenolics, carotenoids, and α-tocopherols, as well as greater MUFA/PUFA and OLP indicated superior nutritional and oxidative stability potential. Correlation analyses highlighted that these kays phenols appeared to be most closely associated with pedoclimatic variables, particularly temperature, solar radiation, and rainfall and that the response was genotype-dependent. Although the study spanned only two productive seasons, the consistent trends observed in phenolic response and their correlation with pedoclimatic variables suggest that genotype I77 holds strong potential for producing high-quality EVOO under variable climatic conditions. Moreover, the significant positive correlation between oleocanthal and oleacein with most pedoclimatic variables suggests environmental robustness and good nutraceutical potential of this genotype.