New rapid procedure for genetic characterization of Italian wild olive (Olea europaea) and traceability of virgin olive oils by means of SSR markers

Little is currently known about the genetic relationships between the cultivated olive and wild olive trees inItaly. This report is the first study that has developed molecular characterization of wild olive plants from leaftissue, without the DNA extraction step. The new protocol was able to amplify every microsatellite tested also infive monovarietal virgin olive oil samples, revealing clear, accurate, reproducible and easily interpretable allelicprofiles. Our results show a genetic variability among Sardinia and Calabria wild olive trees, as well as betweenwild olive and olive varieties sampled from both areas. The possibility to provide a market product with agenetic fingerprint is undoubtedly an added value, especially when considering the high level of food counterfeitsspread all-over the world. These results are also in line with the latest rules issued by the European Unionaimed to protect niche products.