Antioxidant activity, sterol and fatty acid compositions of Turkish olive oils as an indicator of variety and ripening degree.

This study was carried out to determine the effect of three ripening stages (green, spotted and ripe) on fatty acid, sterol composition and antioxidant activity of olive oils from three olive varieties (Sarı Hasebi, Gemlik and Halhalı) widely grown in the eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey. The variety had a significant effect on the fatty acids, sterols and total phenolic content. Halhalı oil had the lowest oleic acid content (67.