Olive oil content VIS/NIR determination in intact olives from intensive orchards and possible applications

The measuring of olive oil content by Vis/NIR spectroscopy, performing in olive intact, without requiring grinding or drying of the sample, was proven suitable. The use of this technology as an alternative to Soxhlet extraction in a research project showed the difficulty that the small number of samples processed, while allowed to develop and evaluate the calibration, was not suitable for practical use. It was proven also that previously got calibrations allows improving the measuring when used to complement the parameters' diversity, but were not useful if the new data are not considered. Therefore, this technique requires the use of a methodology and procedure for updating calibrations before use on olives with characteristics specific. Given the results of this study and previous literature, it is suggested that it may be appropriate fit the methodology for using this technique in experimental olive mills and laboratories, since it has the advantage of be rapid and offers lower cost.Peer Reviewe