Effect of latent and symptomatic infections by Colletotrichum godetiae on oil quality

Abstract Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum spp., is the main olive fruit disease. can severely infect with a negative impact on oil quality. However, relationship between visible infections of spp. and quality unclear influence latent unknown. This study considers as factors affecting oil. IAbsorbance in UV (K232 K270), free acidity, peroxide index were evaluated oils from symptomatic godetiae cvs. Arbequina, Hojiblanca, Picual. Olive samples i) infected at three maturity stages after two incubation periods ii) sets mixtures healthy used to determine disease Oils cv. Arbequina showed higher acidity than control ( P = 0.012). Linear exponential models fitted relate parameters proportion fruit. Acidity was most affected parameter, mainly Arbequina. The thresholds percentage fruits causing loss category varied greatly according cultivar, ‘Arbequina’ being sensitive.