Introduction Herbicides are essential tools in modern agriculture, but their unintended impact on pollination is a growing concern. Recent research by Dummer et al. (2025) has revealed that glyphosate and 2,4-D, two commonly used herbicides, can severely impair olive pollen germination, raising serious questions about their effects on fruit set and overall productivity in olive…
Category: Research
A Technical Overview For Optimising Extra Virgin Olive Oil Quality Through Decanter Settings
In the highly competitive world of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) production, achieving the perfect balance between oil yield and quality is critical. Quality of EVOO is also directly influenced by the decanter centrifuge settings during the extraction process. Key parameters, such as the differential speed between the drum and screw (referred to as Dn)…
Enhancing Extra Virgin Olive Oil Quality Through Densimetric Sorting
During the recent research conducted by a team from DAGRI, Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agrarie, Alimentari, Ambientali e Forestali, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Florence, Italy, a novel approach to post-harvest handling of olives was assessed: densimetric sorting (sorting olives by density). This technique could allow producers to control the quality of extra virgin…
Revolutionising Olive Variety Identification: AI Tool from GEN4OLIVE Spanish Project
An AI tool has been developed to identify olive varieties from images of olive pits, known as ‘OliVaR’. The neural network was trained using an extensive database of olive fruit endocarps (olive pits), compiled by partners of the GEN4OLIVE European project. With contributions from five germplasm banks across different countries and advancements in AI technology,…
Secoiridoids Found to Enhance Oxidative Stability and Shelf Life of ‘Corbella’ Extra Virgin Olive Oil
In view of pushing the limits on olive oil quality a breakthrough for the olive oil industry has been revealed through a recent study which has shed a new light on how certain compounds, specifically secoiridoids, can significantly enhance the oxidative stability and shelf life of ‘Corbella’ Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO). The collaborative Spanish…
Breakthrough Study Reveals Effective Strategies Against Olive Tree-Killing Bacterium
Breakthrough Study Reveals Effective Strategies Against Olive Tree-Killing Bacterium Location: Apulia, Italy In the olive-rich region of Apulia, Italy, a relentless pathogenic bacterium, Xylella fastidiosa, has been wreaking havoc on olive trees since 2013, causing widespread concern among farmers and environmentalists. Traditional containment methods have shown limited success in curtailing its spread. However, a recent…
Is Smart Packaging for Extra Virgin Olive Oil Widely Accepted by Consumers?
Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a staple in the Mediterranean diet and plays an important role in international food commerce. However, olive oil is an ancient food and is probably the most studied oil and owns its right to the accolade in daily health and well-being. However, in order to secure the healthful properties provenance…
Does oxygen in the headspace of the packaging container influence Olive Oil quality?
Extra Virgin Olive Oil is the oil obtained from fresh olive fruit in perfect condition picked at optimal maturation with the utmost care and attention to the mechanical extraction processing to achieve the oil. Olive Oil is the only vegetable oil that can be consumed directly in its raw state and contains important healthful nutritional…
An Olive Oil Massage May Help Reduce The Effects of Restless Leg Syndrome
11/11/19: The symptoms of restless legs syndrome (RLS) are associated with a reduction in quality of life and mental health. There are no known cures for RLS and treatments with lifestyle changes and medications including opiates, anticonvulsants, dopamine antagonists and others. A new study has found a novel use for olive oil in an alternative…
Olive Pomace Extract Improves Growth in Meat-Chickens
11/11/19: Agricultural eco-innovation is based on circular economy and cradle to cradle concepts. This innovative concept aims at “zero waste” economy or a sustainable production where new products and applications are created from by-products of agricultural wastes, namely olive pomace. Extra Virgin Olive Oil is well known for its high antioxidant capacity, however, some phenols…
Pruning & Plant Growth Regulators To Increasing Fruit Yield
Pruning techniques and timing are always a misunderstood practice throughout the olive growing community. This study is interesting because it delves into simulated mechanical pruning and also introduces the potential use of plant growth regulators. Pruning is a necessary grove management practice to assist in maintaining appropriate canopy size and promote higher levels of flowering…
Turning to Olives for Anthocyanin’s Which May Prevent Oxidative Stress
06/11/19: With the incidence of diseases becoming more and more abundant, there is a need for consumers to look for foods that are healthier choice options in the daily diet. Have you ever thought about olives as a means of getting your daily hit of antioxidants which in turn helps to prevent daily oxidative stress?…
Amanda Bailey on Olives by The Olive Centre 