Evaluation of physicochemical, bioactive composition and profile of fatty acids in leaves of different olive cultivars

ABSTRACT Olive leaves are agro-industrial residues resulting from pruning and / or olive harvesting, and are used in animal feed, as an organic fertilizer and as a source of compound extraction for various applications. This study aimed to carry out the physicochemical characterization, main bioactive compounds and the fatty acid profile of olive leaves from the cultivars Frantoio, Koroneike, Manzanilha, Arbosana and Arbequina. Proximal composition, pH, titratable acidity, minerals by MIP OES, bioactive compounds were determined by spectrophotometry, oleuropein and tocopherols by high performance liquid chromatography and the fatty acid profile by gas chromatography. The olive leaves had a high content of fibers and proteins, the predominant minerals were potassium and calcium, in addition the olive leaves had a high content of bioactive compounds, mainly flavonoids and carotenoids and the cultivar Koroneike had a higher content of oleuropein compared to the others. In relation to tocopherols, α-tocopherol stood out from the other tocopherols with the maximum concentration (63436.79 mg.100g-1) measured in the cultivar Arbequina. In view of the results found, it is concluded that olive leaves are sources of macromolecules, bioactive compounds and fatty acids, which can be extracted and applied in the most diverse areas.