Can you cook at high heat with olive oil?
By
Dr Rafael Frascino Cassaro (PhD)
| Reviewed by
Dr Anny Manrich (PhD)
The contents of this article are fact-based except otherwise stated within the article.
Author bio
Dr Rafael Frascino Cassaro PhD is a Chemist with expertise in Food Technology, extraction of essential oils from food sources, organocatalysis, extraction by supercritical CO2 and organic chemistry. He writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Rafael Frascino Cassaro’s Highlights:
- PIPE-FAPESP Project Coordinator for the company Bioativos Naturais Ltda involving the extraction of essential oils from food sources, with supercritical CO2.
- PhD in Chemistry with research in supercritical fluid reactivity.
- Bachelor of Environmental Chemistry at University of São Paulo State (UNESP)/Brazil
Professional Experience:
Dr Rafael Frascino Cassaro’s Experience:
Dr Rafael coordinated a PIPE-FAPESP Project (Company Research and Innovation Project) for the company Bioativos Naturais Ltda, involving the extraction of essential oils with supercritical CO2 from food sources such as turmeric, ginger, hops, orange bagasse, pepper rose, cupuaçu pie, among others.
Dr Rafael has worked on a project, involving studies of the influence of pre-treatment on the recovery of crude food extracts by extraction with supercritical CO2 (Supercritical Fluid Extraction or SFE) and with pressurized liquids (ethanol and water) for food sources, aimed at obtaining oleoresins; determination of global yield and chemical composition of crude extracts. As a postdoctoral fellow for the Food Engineering department at the University of Campinas/Brazil
Dr Rafael Frascino Cassaro has worked as a substitute Professor at the University of São Paulo State (UNESP) on General Chemistry and Thermodynamics II disciplines for the Food Engineering course.
Education:
- 2009 Bachelor in Environmental Chemistry at the State University of São Paulo, Brazil
- 2015 PhD in Chemistry with research in supercritical fluid reactivity University of São Paulo, Brazil
- 2017 Post Doctoral in Food Engineering Research: Influence of Biomass Pre-Treatment on Supercritical CO2 Extraction: Preservation of High Added Value Assets and Reduction of Process Costs at the State University of Campinas, Brazil
The main publications of Dr Rafael Frascino Cassaro are:
RC Bazito, RF CASSARO, LC OLIVEIRA, RA Gariani, CAO Nascimento. (2013). Proline derivatives as organocatalysts for the aldol reaction in conventional and non-conventional reaction media. Green Processing and Synthesis 2, 43-50
TS Bastos, SB Rodriguez Reartes, MS Zabaloy, RF Cassaro, RC Bazito. (2019).Phase Behavior for the System Carbon Dioxide plus p-Nitrobenzaldehyde: Experimental and Modeling JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING DATA 64 (5), 2116-2125
GH Sakae, LM Takata, AS Paulino, RC Bazito, RF Cassaro, C Princival, .(2013). A high enantioselective Proline-based helical polymer catalyst for aldol type reaction. Blucher Chemistry Proceedings 1 (2), 214-214
You can view some of Dr Rafael’s work below and links to his professional profile.
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rafael-Cassaro-2
Fapesp: https://bv.fapesp.br/pt/pesquisador/680718/rafael-frascino-cassaro/
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=ToO7HIcAAAAJ&hl=en
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafael-frascino-cassaro-4a156a37/?originalSubdomain=br
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3729-2858
Reviewer bio
Dr Anny Manrich PhD is a food Engineer with expertise in Food Technology, Natural Polymers, Edible Films, Enzymes, and Nanotechnology. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Anny Manrich’s Highlights:
- Research and Technology at the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation
- PhD in Chemical Engineering with a focus on Biochemistry at the Federal University of Sao Carlos/ Brazil and a one-year scholarship at the Technical University of Munich/ Germany
- Bachelor of Food Engineering at the University of Campinas/ Brazil and a one-year scholarship at the Technical University of Munich/ Germany
“To solve a problem, global vision and multifactorial understanding are necessary. Therefore, in addition to expertise, one should seek multidisciplinary thinking connected with science and reality” – Dr Anny Manrich, PhD.
Professional Experience:
Dr Anny Manrich’s Experience Joining the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, as soon as she completed her doctorate,
Dr Anny Manrich has worked on several projects, including the more than three-year partnership project with BRF, a major food producer in Brazil. As a postdoctoral fellow.
Dr Anny Manrich has also contributed to several business consultancies and research projects of the National Nanotechnology Laboratory System in areas such as food technology, fibres, films and coatings and Nanotechnology; in a very determined way, having a great team relationship, being creative and committed.
Growing concerns about the safe introduction of nanomaterials into today’s life emphasises the need to create regulatory documentation in front of characterising, using and testing them. Dr Anny Manrich worked for two years on a characterization project for nanoscale materials, with the aim of exploring their possible health effects.
Despite not having specific academic training in packaging or polymeric films, Dr Anny Manrich works at the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation in areas of edible and biodegradable films produced from agricultural waste and in the development of films with greater resistance to water, having articles published in renowned scientific journals, which demonstrates her multidisciplinary understanding and creativity.
In addition, she worked for four years as a consultant to a food company to develop a line of snacks that are healthy and that add functional ingredients, physiologically active compounds that bring health benefits, made from fruits and vegetables, enabling diet improvement, disease prevention and reduction of nutritional deficiencies.
Dr Anny Manrich participated as a member of the examination board for two Master’s exams and one PhD exam at the Department of Chemical Engineering of the Federal University of São Carlos.
Education:
- 2001 Bachelor in Food Engineering at the State University of Campinas, Brazil
- 1999 One year scholarship at the Technical University of Munich
- 2004 Master in Chemical Engineering at the Federal University of São Carlos, Brazil
- 2012 PhD in Chemical Engineering at the Federal University of São Carlos, Brazil
- 2010 One year scholarship at the Technical University of Munich
The main publications of Dr. Anny Manrich are:
Articles
Manrich, A., Moreira, F. K., Otoni, C. G., Lorevice, M. V., Martins, M. A., & Mattoso, L. H. (2017). Hydrophobic edible films made up of tomato cutin and pectin. Carbohydrate Polymers, 164, 83-91.
Mendes, J. F., Norcino, L. B., Martins, H. H. A., Manrich, A., Otoni, C. G., Carvalho, E. E. N., … & Mattoso, L. H. C. (2020). Correlating emulsion characteristics with the properties of active starch films loaded with lemongrass essential oil. Food Hydrocolloids, 100, 105428.
Norcino, L. B., Mendes, J. F., Natarelli, C. V. L., Manrich, A., Oliveira, J. E., & Mattoso, L. H. C. (2020). Pectin films loaded with copaiba oil nanoemulsions for potential use as bio-based active packaging. Food Hydrocolloids, 106, 105862.
Manrich, Anny, et al. Immobilization of trypsin on chitosan gels: Use of different activation protocols and comparison with other supports. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 43.1 (2008): 54-61.
Manrich, Anny; Komesu, Andrea ; Adriano, Wellington Sabino; Tardioli, Paulo Waldir ; Giordano, Raquel Lima Camargo . Immobilization and Stabilization of Xylanase by Multipoint Covalent Attachment on Agarose and on Chitosan Supports. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, v. 161, p. 455-467, 2010.
Mendes, J. F., Martins, J. T., Manrich, A., Neto, A. S., Pinheiro, A. C. M., Mattoso, L. H. C., & Martins, M. A. (2019). Development and physical-chemical properties of pectin film reinforced with spent coffee grounds by continuous casting. Carbohydrate polymers, 210, 92-99..
Milessi, T. S., Kopp, W., Rojas, M. J., Manrich, A., Baptista-Neto, A., Tardioli, P. W., … & Giordano, R. L. (2016). Immobilization and stabilization of an endoxylanase from Bacillus subtilis (XynA) for xylooligosaccharides (XOs) production. Catalysis Today, 259, 130-139.
Mendes, J. F., Norcino, L. B., Manrich, A., Pinheiro, A. C. M., Oliveira, J. E., & Mattoso, L. H. C. (2020). Development, physical‐chemical properties, and photodegradation of pectin film reinforced with malt bagasse fibers by continuous casting. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 137(39), 49178.
Mendes, J. F., Martins, J. T., Manrich, A., Luchesi, B. R., Dantas, A. P. S., Vanderlei, R. M., … & Martins, M. A. (2021). Thermo-physical and mechanical characteristics of composites based on high-density polyethylene (HDPE) e spent coffee grounds (SCG). Journal of Polymers and the Environment, 29, 2888-2900..
Mendes, J. F., Norcino, L. B., Martins, H. H., Manrich, A., Otoni, C. G., Carvalho, E. E. N., … & Mattoso, L. H. C. (2021). Development of quaternary nanocomposites made up of cassava starch, cocoa butter, lemongrass essential oil nanoemulsion, and brewery spent grain fibers. Journal of Food Science, 86(5), 1979-1996.
Manrich, A., Martins, M. A., & Mattoso, L. H. C. (2021). Manufacture and performance of peanut skin cellulose nanocrystals. Scientia Agricola, 79.
Nascimento, V. M., Manrich, A., Tardioli, P. W., de Campos Giordano, R., de Moraes Rocha, G. J., & Giordano, R. D. L. C. (2016). Alkaline pretreatment for practicable production of ethanol and xylooligosaccharides. Bioethanol, 2(1)..
Manrich, Anny, de Oliveira, J. E., Martins, M. A., & Mattoso, L. H. C. Physicochemical and Thermal Characterization of the Spirulina platensis. J. Agric. Sci. Technol. B, v. 10, p. 298-307, 2020.
Book Chapter
Terra, I. A. A., Aoki, P. H., Delezuk, J. A. D. M., Martins, M. A., Manrich, A., Silva, M. J., … & Miranda, P. B. (2022). Técnicas de Caracterização de Polímeros. Nanotecnologia Aplicada a Polímeros, 614.
Conference Papers
Ferreira, L. F., Luvizaro, L. B., Manrich, A., Martins, M. A., Júnior, M. G., & Dias, M. V. (2017). Comparação da estabilidade de suspensões poliméricas de amido/tocoferol e quitosana/tocoferol. In: CONGRESSO BRASILEIRO DE POLÍMEROS, 14., 2017, Águas de Lindóia, SP.
Manrich, A., Hubinger, S. Z., & Paris, E. C. (2017). Citotoxicidade causada por nanomateriais: avaliação do micronúcleo. In: WORKSHOP DA REDE DE NANOTECNOLOGIA APLICADA AO AGRONEGÓCIO, 9., 2017, São Carlos. Anais… São Carlos: Embrapa Instrumentação, 2017. p. 655-658.
Manrich, Anny, et al. Immobilization and Stabilization of Xylanase by multipoint covalent attachment on Glyoxyl Agarose Support. The 31st Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals. 2009.
Manrich, Anny, et al. Application of immobilized xylanase on hydrolysis of soluble wood hemicelluloses after using microwave and organosolv pre-treatments. The 32nd Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals. 2010.
You can view some of Dr Anny’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Anny-Manrich-2
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=23103497100
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=Ea9qpr0AAAAJ
Linkedin: https://br.linkedin.com/in/anny-manrich-20693129
In this brief article, we are going to answer the question “Can you cook at high heat with olive oil?”
Can you cook at high heat with olive oil?
Yes, Compared with seed oils, virgin olive oil (VOO) is preferable for high heat cooking, especially in home cooking.
Under proper temperature conditions, without overheating, it undergoes no substantial changes and its performance is usually equal or superior to refined vegetable oils, due to its balanced composition regarding both major and minor components. (1)
What components in olive oil make it good for cooking?
Olive oil contains 55% to 83% of monounsaturated oleic acid, which is 50 times less prone to oxidation than linoleic acid, the polyunsaturated fatty acid that predominates in the majority of vegetable oils. (1)
Virgin olive oil (VOO) is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, phenolic compounds, and antioxidants, which contribute to its nutritional value. Compared to other edible oils, VOO undergoes less degradation when exposed to high heat during cooking.
This is primarily due to the presence of phenolic compounds that act as antioxidants, inhibiting the oxidation of fatty acids and preventing the formation of harmful oxidized lipid products.(2)
Can some components degrade during cooking?
Yes, it is important to note that certain antioxidant compounds in VOO can degrade to some extent during cooking, and this degradation varies depending on their specific chemical structure.
For example, ortho-/diphenols are more prone to oxidation, while lignans are less susceptible.
The degree of VOO degradation during cooking is also influenced by the cooking technique employed.
Innovative methods such as vacuum pot cooking have been shown to minimize the formation of oxidation products while achieving similar cooking results compared to traditional techniques. (2)
Can some components migrate during cooking?
Yes, during the cooking process, certain compounds migrate between VOO and the food being prepared, leading to different outcomes.
When food is enriched with antioxidants from VOO, it becomes less vulnerable to oxidation, resulting in a decrease in the formation of undesirable products.
Lastly, the transfer of beneficial compounds from the food to VOO during cooking can help preserve these compounds, ultimately improving their bioaccessibility for the body to utilize effectively. (2)
What is olive oil’s smoke point?
Olive oil has a smoke point of 210 °C, it stands up well to high frying temperatures, as its high smoking point is well above the suggested temperature for frying food (180 °C).
That said, VOO has previously not been recommended for frying because it has a relatively low smoke point when compared to other oils (peanut oil ≈225 °C, sunflower oil ≈255 °C, soybean oil ≈242 °C, palm oil ≈227 °C) (1, 2)
A key reaction when frying or cooking with oil is the oxidation of fatty acids and it is believed that low smoke point means that fats are oxidized. However frying oil performance and deterioration may be determined by evaluating several oil parameters.
VOO may be considered resistant to oxidative deterioration due to high heat cooking largely to its high monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) content together with a low polyunsaturated-to-MUFA ratio.
Furthermore, it contains microconstituents that may contribute to the retardation of oxidative deterioration of olive oil at high temperatures. (1)
Is it true that heating extra virgin olive oil eliminates its health benefits?
These concerns are unfounded, the degradation of fatty acids and minor compounds in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) due to heat is not a significant issue.
While oils rich in saturated fatty acids, like palm oil, may experience less degradation during cooking, they lack the minor compounds, such as polyphenols, which contribute to the health effects associated with EVOO.
During the cooking process, the minor constituents of EVOO, including phenolic compounds, undergo oxidation, which helps prevent the oxidation of fatty acids and other compounds, thus contributing to the overall stability of the oil.
The impact of cooking on the health benefits of EVOO can vary depending on the cooking technique employed. Methods like vacuum pot cooking, can minimize the degradation of fatty acids and minor compounds, preserving the nutritional value of EVOO.
Even under heating conditions, EVOO can retain a significant portion of its minor compounds and, consequently, its nutritional properties. (2, 3)
What are the health benefits of cooking with olive oil?
Using VOO for high heating cooking like frying improves the quality of fat intake, which is important in preventing cardiovascular and other diseases. The favorable fatty acid profile of VOO plays a significant role in these health benefits.
Moreover, fried foods prepared with VOO are enriched with various health-promoting microconstituents such as polar phenolics, squalene, phytosterols, tocopherols, terpenic acids, and thermal/oxidative decomposition products.
These components have the potential to interact with the food’s constituents and contribute to its nutritional value. Clinical events related to cardiovascular disease have been significantly reduced through the use of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), which was also employed for frying.
VOO has beneficial effects and superior protective properties when compared to the detrimental effects of other oils like sunflower oil on DNA oxidative damage. (1)
Other FAQs about Oils that you may be interested in.
What Can You Substitute For Vegetable Oil?
What can i use instead of oil in brownies
Conclusion
In this brief article, we have answered the question “Can you cook at high heat with olive oil?”
Reference
- Chiou, A., & Kalogeropoulos, N. Virgin Olive Oil as Frying Oil. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 16(4), 632–646. 2017.
- Julián Lozano-Castellón, José Fernando Rinaldi de Alvarenga, Anna Vallverdú-Queralt, Rosa M. Lamuela-Raventós, Cooking with extra-virgin olive oil: A mixture of food components to prevent oxidation and degradation, Trends in Food Science & Technology, 123, 28-36, 2022.
- Allouche, Y., Jiménez, A., Gaforio, J. J., Uceda, M., & Beltrán, G. How Heating Affects Extra Virgin Olive Oil Quality Indexes and Chemical Composition. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 55(23), 9646–9654. 2007.