Extracts of leaves, fruits and seeds of olive tree cultivars of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (Portugal) were analysed by reverse phase HPLC with diode array detection and mass spectrometry (MS). This methodology allowed the identification of some common phenolic compounds, namely, verbascoside, rutin, luteolin-7-glucoside, oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol. Moreover the hyphenation of HPLC with MS enabled the identification of nüzhenide in olive seeds. An oleuropein glucoside was also detected in olive tree leaves. The total phenolic content was determined with the Folin Denis reagent and the total antioxidant activity with the ABTS method. There is a correlation between total antioxidant activity and total phenolic content with the exception of the seed extracts analysed. The apparent high antioxidant activity of seed extracts may be due to nüzhenide, a secoiridoid that is the major phenolic component of olive seeds. These results suggest a possible application of olive seeds as sources of natural antioxidants.

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The purpose of this work was to screen for and characterize the potential probiotic features of strains of lactic acid bacteria isolated from Galega cultivar fermented olives, to eventually develop an improved probiotic food from plant origin. From 156 isolated strains, 10 were acid e and bile salt tolerant, and exhibited survival rates up to 48%, following simulated digestion. All strains exhibited auto-(4-12%) and co-aggregation features (≥30%), as well as hydrophobicity (5-20%) and exopolysaccharide-producing abilities, while no strain possessed haemolytic capacity or ability to hydrolyse mucin. Antibiotic resistance, oleuropein degradation, proteolytic activity and antimicrobial activity were strain dependent features. Overall, 10 strains e belonging to Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus paraplantarum, appear to possess a probiotic value.2