The Ancient Olive Trees (Olea europaea L.) of the Maltese Islands: A Rich and Unexplored Patrimony to Enhance Oliviculture
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Results
2.1. Fruits Harvested from Indigenous Maltese Genotypes Had Traits Suitable for Oil Production and for the Preparation of Table Olives
2.2. The Main Phenolic Compounds Contained in the Maltese Olive Pulp Were Highly Variable
2.3. Variation of Squalene and Sterol Content in Drupes
2.4. The Acidic Composition in the Fruit Pulp of 19 Maltese Olive Trees
3. Discussion
4. Materials and Methods
4.1. Sample Collection and Assessment of Drupe Characteristics
4.2. Extraction and Analysis of Fruit Phenolic Compounds
4.3. Sterol and Squalene Analyses
4.4. Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAMEs) Analyses
4.5. Statistical Analysis
5. Conclusions
Supplementary Materials
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Sample Name | Matched Genotype | Cultivation Area and Tree Status, Brief Description |
---|---|---|
1Bidni | Bidni | Deep soil in a cultivated field. Status of tree: not abandoned but needs to be taken care of |
1Plattini | Nocellara del Belice | Deep soil in an uncultivated field. Status of tree: abandoned |
1Bingemma Malta | Unknown | Deep soil in a cultivated field. Status of tree: abandoned |
1Caritas | Leucocarpa | Deep soil in a cultivated orchard. Status of tree: good maintenance |
1Haz Zebbug | Unknown | Deep soil in an uncultivated field. Status of tree: abandoned |
1Mellieha | Unknown | Shallow rocky soil in a garigue habitat in an uncultivated field. Status of tree: abandoned |
1Pembroke | Unknown | Medium level of soil in a maquis habitat in a valley. Status of tree: abandoned |
2Pembroke | Unknown | Medium level of soil in a maquis habitat in a valley. Status of tree: abandoned |
1Wardija | Unknown | Deep soil slope in a maquis/woodland environment. Status of tree: abandoned |
2Wardija | Unknown | Deep soil slope in a maquis/woodland environment. Status of tree: abandoned |
2Qnotta | Unknown | Deep soil in a cultivated field. Status of tree: abandoned |
2Gudja | Unknown | Deep soil in an uncultivated field. Status of tree: abandoned |
3Gudja | Ottobratica | Deep soil in a cultivated field. Status of tree: abandoned |
2Kappara | Unknown | Deep soil in an uncultivated patch of the field. Status of tree: abandoned |
2Mtarfa | Unknown | Rocky shallow soil in a transition between a garigue and maquis environment. Status of tree: abandoned |
5Mtarfa | Unknown | Rocky shallow soil in a transition between a garigue and maquis environment. Status of tree: abandoned |
6Mtarfa | Unknown | Rocky shallow soil in a transition between a garigue and maquis environment. Status of tree: abandoned |
3Loretu | Unknown | Deep soil in a cultivated garden. Status of tree: fair maintenance |
1Lunzjata | Unknown | Deep soil in a cultivated orchard. Status of tree: abandoned |
Sample Name | Year | FW (g) | FrM (%) | (P/P) | OCFW (%) | OCDW (%) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1Bidni | 2020 | 0.87 ± 0.04 ghi | 58.34 ± 0.56 bcd | 2.41 ± 0.01 e | 10.09 ± 0.17 c | 24.81 ± 0.50 de |
2022 | 0.55 ± 0.02 jk | 52.81 ± 0.94 ij | 2.11 ± 0.005 j | 11.38 ± 0.70 ef | 24.14 ± 0.48 f | |
1Bingemma Malta | 2020 | 1.90 ± 0.07 d | 61.95 ± 0.04 a | 3.20 ± 0.07 c | 10.74 ± 1.00 c | 28.24 ± 2.62 cd |
2022 | 4.26 ± 0.01 d | 57.87 ± 0.22 fg | 6.27 ± 0.001 c | 18.14 ± 0.23 ab | 43.05 ± 0.23 b | |
2Gudja | 2020 | 0.78 ± 0.03 ghi | 60.50 ± 0.80 abc | 2.22 ± 0.01 f | 4.31 ± 0.09 e | 10.90 ± 0.22 f |
2022 | 0.72 ± 0.02 j | 57.24 ± 0.39 g | 1.75 ± 0.01 m | 3.80 ± 0.23 ij | 8.89 ± 0.08 i | |
3Gudja | 2020 | 1.57 ± 0.06 de | 58.37 ± 0.48 bcd | 3.23 ± 0.01 c | 14.59 ± 0.18 b | 35.05 ± 0.43 bc |
2022 | 2.03 ± 0.03 f | 57.43 ± 1.04 fg | 3.24 ± 0.03 i | 15.76 ± 0.27 d | 37.06 ± 0.89 c | |
2Kappara | 2020 | 1.42 ± 0.10 ef | 59.52 ± 1.53 abc | 1.86 ± 0.02 g | 6.89 ± 0.22 d | 20.03 ± 0.54 e |
2022 | 1.34 ± 0.01 h | 54.80 ± 0.03 hi | 1.92 ± 0.02 kl | 7.82 ± 0.34 g | 17.30 ± 0.01 g | |
2Mtarfa | 2020 | 0.51 ± 0.001 i | 50.06 ± 0.31 e | 1.08 ± 0.01 h | 2.91 ± 0.03 e | 6.58 ± 0.08 f |
2022 | 0.41 ± 0.003 k | 56.69 ± 0.09 gh | 1.29 ± 0.01 n | 2.52 ± 0.18 jk | 5.82 ± 0.01 j | |
5Mtarfa | 2020 | 1.06 ± 0.01 fgh | 46.86 ± 0.71 f | 2.28 ± 0.05 ef | 15.63 ± 0.62 b | 29.42 ± 1.16 cd |
2022 | 0.92 ± 0.004 i | 51.91 ± 0.19 j | 2.00 ± 0.01 jk | 6.82 ± 0.20 h | 13.06 ± 0.05 h | |
6Mtarfa | 2020 | 1.18 ± 0.04 defg | 45.23 ± 0.19 f | 2.96 ± 0.01 d | 10.51 ± 0.001 c | 19.19 ± 0.002 e |
2022 | 0.40 ± 0.01 k | 54.41 ± 0.08 i | 1.72 ± 0.01 m | na | na | |
1Pembroke | 2020 | 0.50 ± 0.04 i | 48.93 ± 0.21 e | 1.04 ± 0.01 h | 2.23 ± 0.04 e | 4.82 ± 0.05 f |
2022 | 0.52 ± 0.003 jk | 49.55 ± 0.23 k | 1.03 ± 0.01 o | 2.52 ± 0.18 jk | 5.00 ± 0.02 j | |
1Plattini | 2020 | 5.30 ± 0.05 b | 61.32 ± 0.18 ab | 6.67 ± 0.04 a | 15.72 ± 0.27 b | 39.92 ± 1.07 b |
2022 | 5.14 ± 0.05 c | 64.25 ± 0.11 ab | 6.80 ± 0.04 b | 16.55 ± 0.30 cd | 46.28 ± 0.14 a | |
2Qnotta | 2020 | 2.38 ± 0.17 c | 62.46 ± 0.57 a | 2.38 ± 0.18 b | 9.66 ± 1.17 c | 25.73 ± 3.11 de |
2022 | 1.89 ± 0.05 fg | 61.49 ± 0.05 cd | 4.08 ± 0.02 g | 12.47 ± 0.23 e | 32.39 ± 0.04 d | |
1Wardija | 2020 | 6.60 ± 0.19 a | 58.17 ± 0.15 cd | 6.60 ± 0.19 a | 24.59 ± 0.06 a | 58.19 ± 0.15 a |
2022 | 7.96 ± 0.04 a | 58.56 ± 0.02 efg | 6.97 ± 0.03 a | 19.00 ± 0.23 a | 45.85 ± 0.02 a | |
2Wardija | 2020 | 1.49 ± 0.06 def | 56.40 ± 0.28 d | 1.72 ± 0.03 g | 9.33 ± 0.07 c | 23.21 ± 0.02 de |
2022 | 1.29 ± 0.03 h | 60.30 ± 0.05 de | 4.79 ± 0.02 e | 5.60 ± 0.26 h | 14.10 ± 0.02 h | |
1Caritas | 2022 | 5.77 ± 0.10 b | 58.49 ± 0.01 efg | 5.05 ± 0.07 d | 17.42 ± 0.27 bc | 41.97 ± 0.03 b |
1Haz Zebbug | 2022 | 0.52 ± 0.01 jk | 48.62 ± 0.45 k | 1.02 ± 0.01 o | 4.06 ± 0.23 i | 7.90 ± 0.07 i |
3Loretu | 2022 | 1.76 ± 0.04 g | 62.44 ± 0.10 bc | 4.33 ± 0.02 f | 10.82 ± 0.21 f | 28.81 ± 0.08 e |
1Lunzjata | 2022 | 0.62 ± 0.01 j | 64.55 ± 0.01 a | 1.89 ± 0.01 kl | 2.19 ± 0.26 k | 6.16 ± 0.002 j |
1Mellieha | 2022 | 2.58 ± 0.07 e | 54.55 ± 0.19 i | 3.38 ± 0.01 h | 17.06 ± 0.23 bcd | 37.55 ± 0.16 c |
2Pembroke | 2022 | 0.40 ± 0.01 k | 59.38 ± 0.31 ef | 1.83 ± 0.004 lm | 3.28 ± 0.35 ijk | 8.07 ± 0.06 i |
Sample Name | Year | Squalene | Total Sterols |
---|---|---|---|
1Bidni | 2020 | 315.99 ± 52.78 c | 406.39 ± 39.08 ab |
2022 | 122.70 ± 16.58 e | 177.32 ± 20.97 cde | |
1Bingemma Malta | 2020 | 2557.86 ± 163.96 b | 441.12 ± 8.87 ab |
2022 | 5554.26 ± 769.43 b | 286.84 ± 6.21 ab | |
1Pembroke | 2020 | 54.34 ± 1.28 c | 61.48 ± 1.51 d |
2022 | 21.91 ± 2.32 e | 76.93 ± 4.64 f | |
1Plattini | 2020 | 6020.81 ± 774.80 a | 374.37 ± 2.89 abc |
2022 | 9558.08 ± 1096.13 a | 231.74 ± 15.87 bc | |
1Wardija | 2020 | 5697.61 ± 407.18 a | 405.51 ± 185.20 ab |
2022 | 4604.50 ± 721.08 bc | 287.96 ± 5.84 ab | |
2Gudja | 2020 | 196.69 ± 12.54 c | 88.75 ± 4.12 d |
2022 | 115.78 ± 6.03 e | 106.54 ± 4.31 ef | |
2Kappara | 2020 | 959.88 ± 91.76 c | 550.28 ± 16.22 a |
2022 | 333.55 ± 44.31 e | 217.70 ± 16.72 bcd | |
2Mtarfa | 2020 | 63.79 ± 5.20 c | 68.23 ± 7.85 d |
2022 | 31.30 ± 0.97 e | 106.97 ± 7.89 ef | |
2Qnotta | 2020 | 83.75 ± 3.96 c | 226.07 ± 11.57 bcd |
2022 | 2517.33 ± 175.66 cd | 281.62 ± 37.27 ab | |
2Wardija | 2020 | 298.11 ± 20.49 c | 120.94 ± 8.31 cd |
2022 | 104.53 ± 8.56 e | 174.95 ± 10.96 cde | |
3Gudja | 2020 | 377.54 ± 9.04 c | 180.55 ± 5.11 bcd |
2022 | 630.15 ± 56.69 de | 332.73 ± 15.15 a | |
5Mtarfa | 2020 | 402.59 ± 5.82 c | 168.38 ± 1.39 bcd |
2022 | 127.32 ± 18.49 e | 140.04 ± 13.15 def | |
6Mtarfa | 2020 | 170.81 ± 19.79 c | 87.82 ± 5.35 d |
2022 | 51.72 ± 5.75 e | 83.74 ± 11.73 f | |
1Caritas | 2022 | 5185.78 ± 731.16 b | 266.69 ± 22.81 ab |
1Haz Zebbug | 2022 | 14.39 ± 0.68 e | 98.38 ± 4.62 ef |
3Loretu | 2022 | 2025.60 ± 250.64 de | 235.40 ± 15.14 bc |
1Lunzjata | 2022 | 33.03 ± 6.99 e | 220.73 ± 2.14 bcd |
1Mellieha | 2022 | 775.28 ± 141.45 de | 285.95 ± 27.51 ab |
2Pembroke | 2022 | 19.95 ± 1.61 e | 71.63 ± 6.43 f |
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Passeri, V.; Sammut, C.; Mifsud, D.; Domesi, A.; Stanzione, V.; Baldoni, L.; Mousavi, S.; Mariotti, R.; Pandolfi, S.; Cinosi, N.; et al. The Ancient Olive Trees (Olea europaea L.) of the Maltese Islands: A Rich and Unexplored Patrimony to Enhance Oliviculture. Plants 2023, 12, 1988. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12101988
Passeri V, Sammut C, Mifsud D, Domesi A, Stanzione V, Baldoni L, Mousavi S, Mariotti R, Pandolfi S, Cinosi N, et al. The Ancient Olive Trees (Olea europaea L.) of the Maltese Islands: A Rich and Unexplored Patrimony to Enhance Oliviculture. Plants. 2023; 12(10):1988. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12101988
Chicago/Turabian StylePasseri, Valentina, Clayton Sammut, David Mifsud, Andrea Domesi, Vitale Stanzione, Luciana Baldoni, Soraya Mousavi, Roberto Mariotti, Saverio Pandolfi, Nicola Cinosi, and et al. 2023. "The Ancient Olive Trees (Olea europaea L.) of the Maltese Islands: A Rich and Unexplored Patrimony to Enhance Oliviculture" Plants 12, no. 10: 1988. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12101988