Abstract

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is known for its health benefits, although it provides a minimum amount of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA), which play an important role in the human organism. In this study, EVOO was blended with vegetable oils which are rich sources of n-3 PUFA alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and/or stearidonic acid (SDA) (chia, walnut, linseed and viper’s bugloss seed oils). Fatty acid profiles, induction time, and organoleptic characteristics of the resulting blends were assessed. The n-3 PUFA enrichment in the blends was proportional to the degree of blending. Sensory analysis carried out by a trained panel showed that it is possible to enrich EVOO with up to 20% chia, linseed and viper’s bugloss seed oil without altering the original organoleptic characteristics of EVOO. However, the induction time of the blends was significantly reduced compared with EVOO even after adding n-3 PUFA in small proportions, meaning that shelf-life time of these blends is much lower than that of EVOO, which should be considered when preparing these products for commercial purposes.