Definition

See +

minor components

componentes minoritarios

composants minoritaires

少量成分 /shǎoliàng chéngfèn/

Chemistry | n. phr.

non-fat constituents of olive oil that are very diverse in their chemical structure and function, that amount between 1% and 2% of virgin olive oils and that confer it its organoleptic properties (smell and taste), its stability, even its colour and, especially, its beneficial effects.

Example

It is consumed without any refining, thus retaining its minor components and natural flavor and aroma, which are distinguishable from other edible oils (Vichi et al. 2003).

See Sources

Synonyms

minor fraction

| non-oily fraction

| unsaponifiable fraction

Complementary

major components

Additional information

The minor components are rejected during refining. Virgin olive oils retain these components because they are true oily juice, and this allows to appreciate their characteristic organoleptic properties. By contrast, these components are virtually non-existent in seed oils.