Olive leaves (Olea europaea L.) are an important source of bioactive phenolic compounds, with oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, and tyrosol being particularly prominent. Due to their antioxidant activity, there is increasing interest in using olive leaves in dietary supplements. Despite their popularity, the Slovenian market exhibits considerable diversity in product forms (teas, capsules, liquid preparations) and the content of key compounds, raising concerns regarding their actual quality and compliance with label claims.
The aim of this master’s thesis was to determine the content of selected phenolic compounds in commercial products and in olive leaves of Slovenian origin. The study examined three olive cultivars (‘Buga’, ‘Pendolino’, ‘Istrska belica’), the influence of harvesting season (autumn, spring) and leaf condition (fresh vs. stored) on the content of the selected analytes. For this purpose, an HPLC method was developed and validated for the quantification of oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol.
During the optimization of extraction, the effects of solvent (water, ethanol), extraction time, and leaf particle size on the phenolic yield were studied. All investigated parameters were found to have a significantly impact. Among the single-stage procedures, the highest oleuropein content (1.38% w/w) was achieved using a one-hour ultrasonic extraction of leaves with particle size <1000 µm, which proved to be the most reproducable method. In leaves of Slovenian origin, phenolic content was significantly influenced by the cultivar, season, and condition of plant material. The highest oleuropein concentrations were measured in 'Istrska belica' cultivar (1.170% w/w) and in fresh spring leaves from Oljarna Lisjak (2.387% w/w).
The analysis of commercial products revealed considerable variability in quality. When compared to Pharmacopoeia standards for oleuropein content (5.0% for herbal drug, 16.0% for dry extracts), only approximately half of the samples met the basic quality criteria. In 7 out of 9 products with declared values, the measured concentrations substantially deviated from them. Recommended daily doses of oleuropein varied significantly, with labelled contents ranging from 18 to 150 mg, while the actually measured values ranged from 0.31 to 530.74 mg per day.
Based on the analysis, we conclude that olive leaf dietary supplements on the Slovenian market are of highly inconsistent quality and often insufficiently standardized regarding the content of the key phenolic ingredients. The development of HPLC method and optimized aqueous extraction represent useful tools for further research and for ensuring greater consumer safety.
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