Climatic implication in bioactive compounds and fatty acids profile of olive oil derived from new olive (Olea europaea L.) genotypes in Central Italy

Given the current context of climate change, new olive genotypes may offer valu able variability for enhancing extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) quality in the Mediterranean region. This study evaluated five novel genotypes coming from breeding program (I77, N × N, Fs17 × C, I79, N1 × N3) cultivated in Central Italy. Olive oils were analyzed at two harvest times (mid-October, mid-November) over two consecutive seasons (2023 and 2024), focusing on chemical composition and its relationship to pedoclimatic conditions. Results showed that both harvest time and genotype significantly influ ence key oil parameters, including peroxide value, free acidity, carotenoid and chloro phyll content, α-tocopherol, and total phenolic content. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) revealed distinct fatty acid profile for most genotypes, except I79 and Fs17 × C, which showed similar profiles across years. As expected, oleacein, ole ocanthal, and oleuropein predominated in I77 and Fs17 × C oils. Among all genotypes, I77