Journal of Food Measurement and Characterization, cilt.17, sa.2, ss.2029-2040, 2023 (SCI-Expanded)
Effects of washing crude olive pomace oil (COPO) with hydrogen-rich water (HRW) on its physicochemical and sensory properties, and phytochemicals were investigated. Acidity and peroxide values of normal water (NW) and HRW-washed COPOs decreased with a highest impact shown for HRW. The improving effects increased with the increases in washing cycle numbers. HRW-washed COPOs showed a decrease in color change and browning index. The phenolics content increased in the HRW-washed COPOs and decreased in the NW- washed COPOs. Incorporation of hydrogen into both methanol and hexane improved the extraction of phenolics (TPC), flavonoids (TFC), and antioxidants (DPPH and ABTS). Hydrogen incorporation into solvents led to a two-fold TPC and TFC increase. Washing COPO with HRW can be proposed as an effective method for improving the quality notes and preserving the nutritional value of oil, while hydrogen incorporation of solvents is recommended for better extracting phytochemicals.