XVI International Botanical Congess

In olive (Olea europaea L.) fruits level and quality of biophenolic components (BPs) which are relevant for the quality of plant products -i.e.table olives and olive oil- undergo seasonal variations.We characterized BPs in the single zones of both mature green and black fruits, by using HPLC and H1-NMR methods.We show that oleuropein and its metabolites exhibit different gradient in relation to developmental phase.At histological level an interesting relationship between the size and location of biophenolic inclusions in the single zones of fruit was detected.Moreover an overpresence of biophenolic inclusions occured in epicarpal layers in the cases of insect injury.Data are consistent with a preferential accumulation of BPs in the fruit external zones during maturation.