Changes in the oxidative state of extra virgin olive oil used in baked Italian focaccia topped with different ingredients

Four different types of "focaccia" (Italian flat bread) prepared with the same dough and the same extra virgin olive oil but with different seasonings, were analyzed. Lipids were extracted from each sample using the Folch method. The indices commonly used to assess oil quality, the amounts of trans fatty acids and compounds of triglyceride polymerization, oxidation and hydrolysis, were determined in all the samples to better assess the degree of oxidation and hydrolysis of the oils. The findings showed that, once baked, the oil sampled from the different types of focaccias could not be included in the virgin category. The level of oxidation of the baked samples was greater than that in the uncooked oil. However the results obtained showed that the level of degradation of the extracted oils was lower than that found in edible refined oils and it seemed to be influenced by the topping used to flavour the focaccias. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.