Exploring the Physicochemical, Antioxidant and Sensory Properties of the Flavoured Virgin Olive Oil With Chavir Extract During Storage

This study aimed to study the impact of Ferulago angulata (Schlecht) Boiss (known as an antioxidant known as Chavir) extract, obtained through ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), on the physicochemical, antioxidant and sensory properties of virgin olive oil (VOO) during a 90-day storage period at room temperature. For this purpose, different concentrations of Chavir extract (100, 200 and 300 ppm) were added to VOO. Key parameters, including total phenol content (TPC), extract composition by HPLC-DAD and quality indicators like acidity value (AV), p-anisidine value (p-AV) and UV indices (parameters: K232, K270 and ΔK), were determined. AVs increased overall during the storage period, but adding Chavir extract at 300 ppm appeared to counteract the rise in free fatty acids, suggesting a potential role in reducing hydrolysis. p-AVs decreased in unflavoured and flavoured samples, indicating reduced oxidation in Chavir-flavoured VOO. K232 values exhibited a decline in the presence of flavouring agents and their concentrations. In contrast, the values of K270 showed an increase over the storage period, which indicated the formation of aldehyde and ketones in the second oxidation step. All samples maintained ΔK values below permissible limits (≥ 0.01), signifying good stability. The sensory evaluation emphasised positive attributes such as bitterness, fruitiness and pungency, indicating the high quality of VOO. The addition of Chavir extract further enhanced all of these positive characteristics, particularly at the 300 ppm concentration. However, a gradual decline was observed in all these attributes over time. Notably, the Chavir extract played a crucial role in delaying the formation of secondary oxidation products, which contribute to negative attributes like rancidity in VOO. Moreover, adding Chavir extract increases oxidative stability, infuses the positive qualities in VOO and provides valuable insights into its potential applications for enhancing the overall quality of VOO during storage. This enhancement not only helps maintain high quality and nutritional value but also makes the product more appealing to consumers.