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The main objective of
this project is to apply molecular technologies based on genomic and
metabolic information to the traceability of origin and authenticity of
olive oil produced and sold within the European Union. The purpose of this
is to ensure the production of reliable quality olive oil for the
consumers' health and confidence, to protect sustainable cultivation of
olive trees and to authenticate their European region of origin.
Preservation of the quality and of the identity of the blend utilised in
oil production requires an analytical approach through the entire
production and transformation chain.
Traceability is not only relevant to
assessing origin and content of the olive oil but also to protect and
prevent frauds at different stages in oil production: (i) material other
than olives; (ii) olives of non-EU origin; (iii) oil from low quality
regions into oils labelled as high quality areas; (iv) non-olive tree
original oil.
Application of molecular methodologies through traceability
is essential to extend traceability from the raw material to the final
product through the whole production chain. For this purpose global
metabolic information on olive milling obtained through mass spectrometry
and other analytical procedures will be compared with the total genomic
information obtained through molecular marker technology.
Objectives of
the project
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To establish
through a feasibility study the applicability of available DNA
extraction/purification methods to olive oils collected at different
stages of the production chain: crude and refined oils, and to
evaluate if the DNA collected is quantitatively (amount) and
qualitatively (length or size of the fragments) applicable for a
genomic analysis through quantitative PCR, molecular markers
analysis, microarray analysis. This will be done on few cultivars
chosen randomly among those included in this project. |
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To collect
information regarding olive cultivation and olive oil production,
commerce, marketing and processing in the European Union. |
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To collect
information and to assess the use of molecular markers for variety
identification and discrimination in order to define a set of
markers that can be used together (multiplexed) in the commonly used
high throughput genotyping platforms. |
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To obtain and
deliver the information available on the genetic makeup and
distribution of alleles across cultivars in European regions to help
in designing a set of molecular markers that can be used throughout
the project for olive oil analysis. |
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On the basis of
the output from #1, to assess the presence of DNA fragments by
qualitative and quantitative methods in oil samples obtained from
commercial lines or from oils reconstructed in laboratory, starting
from pure genetic stocks including some low quality cultivars that
are utilised for commercial frauds. |
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To compare the
data set obtained with genomic information and metabolic profiling
to assess and quantify cultivar composition of oil in a diagnostic
test that will be made available as tool kit for SME food companies,
Quality Assessing Institutes and Consumers Associations. |
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To establish
the procedure for obtaining a “molecular identity card”(M-ID) for
each olive oil, based on genomic and metabolomic data, in order to
prepare a label for the products which can be visible and readable
by consumers (bar code). |
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To develop a
network of all the interested parties including growers, companies
and consumers to discuss the relevance of molecular methodologies in
traceability across the food chain and in particular across the
production of olive oil. |
The project will
deliver:
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Methods for
extracting DNA from olive oils in quantity and size compatible with their
application to genomic analysis
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A database of the
olive cultivars grown in the European Community and utilised for the olive
oil production
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A database of genetic information and allele distribution in cultivars and across
populations
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Diagnostic
molecular markers for olive
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Methods for
metabolites analysis and quantification in olive oils preparations (metabolic
profiling)
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A strategy for
processing metabolic profiling data obtained from olive oils of different
origin, either of single or mixed cultivars
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Methods for
quantification of cultivar composition in olive oil by LightCycler® technology, DNA and PNA microarray technology
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A number of
toolkits and methodologies to be used in forensic testing including fraud
detection
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A “molecular identity card”(M-ID) for labelling oils
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A network of information and communication involving all participants and stakeholders
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