DNA Markers for Improved Traceability of Olive Oils

The olive tree (Olea europaea L.) is one of the oldest tree crops in the world and an important source of edible oil with properties beneficial to human health. In this study, I focused on investigating the use of microsatellite markers for the genetic traceability and authenticity of olive oils. I demonstrated the effectiveness of 8 SSRs for the identification and discrimination of the studied cultivars and proved that the two markers GAPU59 and GAPU71A can be used alone to authenticate the studied varieties. I was able to define a unique identifier for each studied cultivar. I developed the first database in the field of olive research in Tunisia, named OGDD, which contains the polymorphisms of SSR markers as well as other characteristics of the major olive cultivars grown worldwide. Thanks to this first version of the database, it will be possible to identify with certainty the cultivar of origin of an unknown single-variety oil. This database could become a reference for industry professionals interested in the olive cultivation and oil sector.