Oleuropein expression in olive oils produced from drupes stoned in a spring pitting apparatus (SPIA)

A new device for the preparation of stoned olive oils, called SPIA, has been developed, aiming at fulfilling the targets of: (i) employing a less powered engine, (ii) reducing the size of the machine and (iii) reaching a good efficiency in terms of oil yields. Oleuropein expression was used as a biochemical parameter to distinguish stoned oils from oils produced by conventional milling systems. In vitro experiments performed by exposing oleuropein to pit enzymes, showed an exponential decay of the substrate.