the identity of theTuscan oil it is written in the earth on which the olive trees grow. The project reveals it GeOEVO app, born as part of the initiatives promoted by the Tuscany Region.
The current lack of territorial markers that uniquely link the EVO oil with its "land of origin", is at the basis of the project, which has as its objective the development of an innovative method of investigation through which it will be possible to trace there origin of the extra virgin olive oil through his geochemical components (such as Rare Earth Elements-REE) e biochemicals (the bacterial communities). Each soil, in fact, has well-defined geochemical-mineralogical and microbiological characteristics; the relationship between these components characterizes a territory, especially if a cultivation has been present for many years.
The first component is based on Rare Earth elements and strontium isotopes, while the second analyzes soil bacterial biodiversity through metagenomics.
In most research, the study of these components remains separate; in the GeoEVOapp project, on the other hand, the microbiological data and the Rare Earth Elements have been put together, in a innovative, combined approach.
This has made it possible to learn about bacterial biodiversity and to correlate it with the REEs in the soils of our olive groves, to reveal the link between oil and one's land.
The researchers selected olive groves located in the territories of Lamole, San Casciano, Greve in Chianti, Impruneta, Pitigliano, Anghiari, Caprese Michelangelo which have different geological origins.
The statistical analysis, carried out by linking the millions of genetic and mineralogical data, revealed that the soils of the Florentine Chianti, Maremma (Pitigliano), Alta Valtiberina and Lamole are characterized by four types of peculiar bacterial communities selected over time on the basis to the influence of the Rare Earth Elements present.
In addition, the project carried out specific analyzes of biophenols e aromatic compounds in the oils obtained from these olive groves, because it is thought that these components, deriving fromsoil-roots-microorganism interaction, remain in the oil and unmistakably define its aroma and perfume.
Has been established, Therefore, on a scientific basis, how the olives maintain the information given by the soil of origin and in general by its bio-geochemical environment. The existence of a relationship between soil, olives and oil is the direct expression of the link between abiotic processes (lithology, geomorphology, soil) and ecosystem functionality.
But the purpose of GeOEVO app it is not only scientific: it is a methodology that is very projected towards applicability, however to make available to Tuscan olive farms a tool capable of enhancing their products by enhancing their peculiarities, with positive effects on the whole territory. The possible applications are many such as, for example, the creation of a blockchain that defines a global tracking from the ground up to the finished product.
In conclusion, with this project scientific research has placed itself at the service of companies, but companies have also placed themselves at the service of researchers, offering material, time, personnel and above all land and oil. They understood that GeOEVO app will be able to offer added value to their product, making it possible to characterize the oil on the market and also enhancing the so-called 'zero kilometre' of the supply chain: an economic plus and a cultural pride of Tuscany.
The project sees the collaboration between the Departments of Earth Sciences (DST) and Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Forestry Sciences and Technologies (DAGRI) of the University of Florence, which have made use of the support of Biochemie Lab, CIA Toscana, the Frantoio del Grevepesa, the Gionni Pruneti farms, Leda Acquisti and numerous other Tuscan farms.
Bibliography: Samuel Pelacani, Angela Roccotelli, Maria Teresa Ceccherini, Simone Orlandini, Simone Tommasini, Sandro Moretti – Georgofili Info
