Correlation of Predictor Variables to Squalene Content in Olive Fruits Using Multivariate Statistical Analysis

The present study was designed to examine the correlation of some predictor variables including pH, organic matter (OM), lime (L), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and total salt (TS) content of soils of olive orchards to squalene content of olive fruits. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to model the relationship between explanatory variables (pH, OM, L, P, K and TS) and responses variable (squalene content) by fitting a linear equation to observed data. The olive fruits (Kilis Yaglik cv.) were sampled from tendifferent locations. The soil characteristics of the sampling sites were determined. Oil extraction was carried out in similar industrial extraction conditions using an oleodosor system. Accordingly, pH (p=0.596), OM (p=0.359), L (p=0.490), P (p=0.127), K (p=0.265) and TS (p=0.572) were not individually statistical significant but their interaction was significant (p=0.006). Standardizing the olive oil quality is not easy at all due to complex and variable environmental conditions. Along with the results herein, the factors themselves were not significant but their complex interaction was significant.