Quality Evaluation of Arbequina Pulp and Pomace Oils: Physicochemical Characteristics and Fatty Acid Profile

This study was conducted to evaluate and compare the physicochemical characteristics and fatty acid profile of Arbequina olive oils (pulp and pomace). The physicochemical parameters analyzed included moisture content, specific gravity, refractive index, iodine value, saponification value, free fatty acids, and peroxide value. Fatty acid composition was determined using gas chromatography. Results revealed that Arbequina pulp oil (0.14% moisture, 0.86 specific gravity, 93.3 iodine value, 0.74% FFA, and 15.71 meq O₂/kg PV) and pomace oil (0.17% moisture, 0.89 specific gravity, 91.07 iodine value, 0.72% FFA, and 11.22 meq O₂/kg PV). Fatty acid profiling showed that Arbequina oils were richer in oleic acid (65.2–67.4%) and balanced in linoleic and palmitic acids. However, due to limited replication, only descriptive statistics (mean values) were reported.Although, Arbequina pulp and pomace oils should be promoted as high-quality local olive oils due to their favorable physicochemical and fatty acid properties.