4. Conclusions
Total element determination is the starting step for fractionation
analysis. The total amounts of magnesium were
132–223 and 7.9–18.4 mg l−1 for olives and olive oil, respectively.
The analytical scheme for fractionation of magnesium
was improved. There is inorganically bound (water-soluble)
magnesium and organically bound magnesium in olives. The
results show that 75–97% of magnesium was absorbed in
the stomach (ionic and polar groups) and the remaining percentage
of magnesium was absorbed in the intestine (molecular
and complexed structures). The absorbable amount of
magnesium in the intestine is low but more important because
of its long retention time in the body. In the case of
olive oil, the magnesium fraction is completely absorbable
in the intestine. The fractionation studies for olive oil will be improved in the future. These studies can be accepted as
a preliminary step for fractionation studies on olive oil.