A MODELLING APPROACH TO EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL EXTRACTION

Abstract

In the present work is described a feasibility assessment for a new approach in virgin olive oil production control system. A predicting or simulating algorithm is implemented as artificial neural network based software, using literature found data concerning parameters related to olive grove, process, machine. Test and validation proved this tool is able to answer two different frequently asked questions by olive oil mill operators, using few agronomic and technological parameters with time and cost saving: – which quality level is up to oil extracted from defined olive lot following a defined process (predicting mode); – which process and machine parameters set would determine highest quality level for oil extracted from a defined olive lot (simulating mode).