The qualitative characteristics of four monovarietal olive oils produced in Calabria region (Southern Italy) were evaluated. The aim of this work was to evidence the differences on chemical parameters due to variety and to growing environment. Results demonstrated a large variability in qualitative indexes according to the variety. Most of the Grossa di Gerace oils sampled in Ionian Southern coast revealed a high total acidity (percentage upper 0.8% of oleic acid). Fatty acid composition showed some varietal characters: in Grossa di Gerace oils possessed a low content of oleic acid and many Carolea oils showed a heptadecenoic acid level higher than 0.3% as European Rules requires for the extra virgin olive oil category. Carolea cultivar is widely grown in different sites of Calabria and so it is influenced by the different climatic conditions: the obtained oils strongly differed according to the production area.

The aim of this work is to evidence the quality of four monovarietal olive oils (Carolea, Grossa di Gerace, Ottobratica, and Sinopolese cv) produced at two crop years and at different harvesting times in Calabria region, located in the South of Italy. Qualitative parameters of oils are evaluated by analysis of major and minor components, in particular: free acidity, peroxide value, fatty acid composition, sterol composition, total polar phenolic compounds and tocopherols, and total pigments. The total antioxidant activity of olive oils is evaluated by DPPH and ABTS assays. Two variables are evaluated in the statistical data elaboration: the cultivar and the harvesting time. Their effect is studied on the chemical parameters and antioxidant components. The harvesting at October and November did not reduce the quality of two monovarietal olive oils (Carolea and Sinopolese) produced in Calabria, whereas Ottobratica and Grossa di Gerace olive oils produced at November have a lower quality. However, a reduction of qualitative parameters is observed in extra virgin olive oils produced from lately harvested olives with some differences among cultivars. Practical Applications: Practical application for the study entitled “Effect of the harvesting time on the quality of olive oils produced in Calabria” regards the study of chemical composition on olive oils produced under a controlled experimental procedure. Varietal characteristics and environmental variables affect in general the quality of the olive productions and the obtained olive oils. The results of this work show that the considered harvesting times did not involve a decay of quality on Carolea and Sinopolese olive oils produced in the South of Italy, obtained following right processing procedures. Under controlled processing procedures, the olive oil quality varies among cultivars mainly from the effect of the considered harvesting periods.

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The whiteness of shredded carrots is generally caused by enzymatic reactions after removal of natural protection during the minimal processing. Moreover, the use of chlorinated solution in sanitizing step of processing, promotes the formation of halogenated by-products, with correlated environmental and health risks in processing areas. This study investigated the effect of different acidic solutions on the quality of shredded carrots during the storage at two refrigerated temperatures (4°C and 7°C), as alternative agents to chlorine in food industry. Carrots dipped in 1.5% citric acid solution did not present colour variation at both storage temperatures. Moreover they showed the lowest microbial charge after processing and during storage at 4°C. Carrots dipped in 0.5% citric acid ? 0.05% ascorbic acid ? 0.05% calcium chloride evidenced lower PAL and POD activities during the storage respect to the other tested samples. Therefore, the dipping of shredded carrots in acidic solutions, as alternative sanitizers to chlorine, contributed to preserve their quality, also controlling the whiteness index of carrots' surface. In particular, the dipping in 1.5% citric acid extended the shelf life of shredded carrots up to 14 days of storage at 4°C.

Calabrian Provola cheese, an Italian typical dairy product, is commonly sold unwrapped with an expiry date of 45 d. The influence of different packagings and subsequent storage at 4 and 7 °C on maintaining cheese quality and prolonging its shelf life was evaluated. The following packaging systems were used: Polyamide/Polyethylene pouch under vacuum; Polyethylene/Polyethylene terephthalate lid over a Polyethylene/Ethylene vinyl alcohol/Polyvinyl Chloride + Polyvinyl alcohol thermoformed tray; Polyethylene/Ethylene vinyl alcohol/Polyamide/Polyethylene pouch. Concerning the two last systems, cheeses were packaged in a modified atmosphere (70:30 N2:CO2). All studied packaging prolonged Calabrian Provola cheese shelf life to 65 d. In particular, the packaging in modified atmosphere with Polyethylene/Ethylene vinyl alcohol/Polyamide/Polyethylene pouch preserved Provola cheeses best, not only showing a decrease of the original total microbial count but also showing the lowest peroxide value and hardness at both temperatures of storage. The results of this study will help local Italian firms to expand their business in more distant markets.