Reinforcement of Mediterranean olive oil sector competitiveness through development and application of innovative production and quality control methodologies related to olive oil health protecting properties. (ARISTOIL)
The Mediterranean region is the main place around the world for production of olive oil. 95% of the world's olive oil is produced in the Mediterranean and mainly in Greece, Peloponnese which produces 65% of Greek olive oil, Italian regions of Sicily, Calabria and Puglia and Andalusia in Spain, the biggest olive growing area on the planet. The main common challenge for all participating countries in the project is that the average price of olive oil is low in comparison to the production cost and moreover there is a strong competition with the non-Mediterranean seed oil sector. The producers in the Mediterranean are pressed either to reduce the cost of production or to increase the value or the demand for olive oil in the international market in order to maintain the viability and sustainability of the olive tree cultivation and the olive oil production. The main objective of ARISTOIL is the reinforcement of Mediterranean olive oil sector competitiveness through development and application of innovative production and quality control methodologies leading to olive oil with enhanced health protecting properties (as recognized by EU 432/2012 regulation). The development of a Mediterranean Cluster for olive oil producers and businesses combined with specialised training, development of innovative methods for identifying the phenolic ingredients of the oil as well as oil producers' support by special product certification is the mixture which will lead to the project's objective.
The main objective of ARISTOIL is the reinforcement of Mediterranean olive oil sector competitiveness through development and application of innovative production and quality control methodologies leading to olive oil with enhanced health protecting properties (as recognized by EU 432/2012 regulation). The development of a Mediterranean Cluster for olive oil producers and businesses combined with specialised training, development of innovative methods for identifying the phenolic ingredients of the oil as well as oil producers' support by special product certification is the mixture which will lead to the project's objective.
The University of Cordoba is directly involved in work packages 3 and 4. These packages are focused on the development of an analytical method for determination of phenolic compounds indicated in the EU 432/2012 regulation in virgin and extra virgin olive oil. The resulting method will be validated with samples provided by producers, which will lead to a database with concentration of phenolic compounds. This database will also contain agronomical, varietal and technological information to be associated with the phenolic concentration. This analysis will allow preparing a guide for producers to improve the healthy properties of olive oil.
- Analytical methods for quantitative determination of phenolic compounds.
- Guides to enhance healthy properties of olive oil.
- Diffusion activities to communicate results.
A dual impact is expectable with the development of this project. Firstly, an estimated number of 3000 producers will be enrolled in the project. Therefore, producers will know how to improve the healthy properties of olive oil. Secondly, it is expected an impact over consumers who should recognize and valorize the healthy benefits of olive oil.
PLATAFORMA ANALÍTICA EN METABOLÓMICA
Code PAIDI: FQM-227
Feliciano Priego Capote. Partner.
Universidad de Córdoba
Budget of Andalusian group: € 240,762.50
EGTC Efxini Poli - SolidarCity NETWORK, Grecia
Euro Mediterranean Center for the Sustainable Development, Italia/Sicilia
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Grecia/Ática
Larnaca-Famagusta District Development Agency, Chipre
Aristoleo, Chipre
University of Split, Croacia/Jadranska
University of Cordoba, España/Andalucía
Free Municipal Consortium of Ragusa, Italia/Sicilia
Region of Peloponnese, Grecia/Peloponeso
Kostelenos George Nurseries, Grecia/Ática (Socio asociado)
Diputación de Málaga, España/Andalucía
Puglia Region, Italia/Puglia (Socio asociado)
Institute for Andriatic Crops and Karst Reclamation, Croacia/Jadranska (Socio asociado)
Association of Olive Growers Vela Luka, Croatia/Jadranska (Socio asociado)
Carcabuey Health Ventures, España/Andalucía (Socio asociado)
Panhellenic Union of Olive Mills, Grecia/Macedonia Central (Socio asociado)
American Farm School Post-Secondary Educational and Training Association, Grecia/Macedonia Central (Socio asociado)
