The Major Qualitative Characteristics of Olive (Olea europaea L.) Cultivated in Southwest China

Abstract

Olive trees, originated from Mediterranean, have been cultivated in China for decades and show great adaption to local environment. However, research on this topic is limited. In this study, the major qualitative characteristics and changes of olive grown in southwest China were investigated. The results showed that oil accumulated during fruit development and reached its maximum value when fruit had fully ripened. Phenolic and flavonoid contents increase rapidly in the early growth stage (0–90 DAFB) and then begin to decrease as fruit ripens. Compared with olive from the Mediterranean, olive from China has special characteristics: higher moisture content in the fruit combined with lower percentages of unsaturated fatty acids and oil content. This is due to southwest China's climate which is wetter and cooler compared to the Mediterranean. Our study suggests that southwest China's higher annual rainfall might contribute to higher fruit moisture content while its low temperatures would be conducive to higher unsaturated fatty acid levels in the fruit.

Genome-Wide Identification, Evolutionary Patterns, and Expression Analysis of bZIP Gene Family in Olive (Olea europaea L.)

“…The gene expression pattern of OeDGAT1 in 'G' was consistent with a previous report of OeDGAT1 in 'Koroneiki' [67], presenting a typical normal curve, i.e., following maximal mRNA levels in September and then declining substantially. Although most TAGs in olive accumulated before they matured, it has been demonstrated that some oil cultivars, like 'A' in our study, have much shorter oil-filling periods than 'Koroneiki' and 'G' [68][69][70] (Figure S6). Olive oil is known for its high oleic acid content.…”

Seasonal Variations in the Chemical Composition of Liangshan Olive Leaves and Their Antioxidant and Anticancer Activities

“…In contrast, higher amounts of luteolin-4'-O-glucoside were found and ranged from 17.21 to 74.32 mg/g DW between January and December, excluding April, with no significant differences detected during summer and autumn. These results may be explained by the embryonic development in April following the dormancy of the olive trees under the Liangshan climate [24] and likely linked to the increased activity of L-phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) in the phenylpropanoid pathway [42]. Nevertheless, an opposite trend was observed in luteolin, which exhibited a persistent reduction during spring and winter, with the highest values detected in April (Table 2).…”

History, Distribution, and Potential of the Olive Industry in China: A Review

“…Although Shiyan, Jintang, Wenxian, and Yongren have completed 40-50% of their total planned areas, they still have considerable potential for planting and development because of their large planned or growing area. Furthermore, Figure 8 In recent years, Chinese researchers have done some work about the quality, yield, and their relationship identification for the introduced varieties and locally bred varieties [21]. Olive mill wastewater (OMW) arises from the production of olive oil in olive mills.…”

“…According to the statistics of International Olive Council, China has an annual olive oil import of 30,000 to 40,000 tons, which far exceeds the import of table olives [28,29]. This is mainly because foreign In recent years, Chinese researchers have done some work about the quality, yield, and their relationship identification for the introduced varieties and locally bred varieties [21]. Olive mill wastewater (OMW) arises from the production of olive oil in olive mills.…”