1. Introduction
The high nutrition value of olive oil is mainly due to its high
oleic acid content and low levels of free fatty acids, pigments,
hydrocarbons and oxygenated compounds. Due to the high ratio
of monounsaturated fatty acids to polyunsaturated fatty acids
and to high levels of natural antioxidants (phenols and tocopherol),
olive oil is very resistant to peroxidation, forming few free radicals
(which are highly toxic and detrimental to health). The world production
of olive oil is ca. 3 million metric tons per annum, with
Spain being the largest producer (http://www.fas.USDA.gov/
psdonline/psdReport.aspx, 2008).