DAGs and PPP Test Scores

You’ll see these rating terms shown on our Ultra Premium  Extra Virgin Olive Oils

DAGs Test/Score:  Measures the proportion of two forms of diacylglycerol:  1,2 and 1,3.  In oil freshly made from sound olives of good quality, the prevalent form of DAG is the 1,2 form where the fatty acids are bonded to a glycerol molecule in the 1 and 2 positions.  The bond on the 2 position is weak and easily broken, leading to the migration of that 2 position fatty acid to the 3 position.  This results in the much more stable 1,3 DAG.  This makes the ration of 1,2 DAGs to the total DAG’s a good indicator of the quality of the olive fruit and the processing.  It is also an indicator of the age of an oil, since the migration from 1,2 to 1,3 DAGs takes place naturally as the oil ages.  Warmer storage temperatures, and higher free fatty acid levels will both accelerate this process, but DAGs are not affected by the short exposure to high heat that is characteristic of deodorizing (refining).

Not used by all oil councils or organizations yet.  Australian standard is more than or equal to 35, EVA standard is more than or equal to 40.  Ultra Premium Standard is more than or equal to 90.

PPP Test/Score:  This test was developed to measure the degradation of chlorophyll in olive oil.  This degradation of chlorophylls to pyropheophytin was found to take place at a predictable pace, making it possible to gain information about the age of an olive oil. The rate at which the degradation occurs can be accelerated by even short periods of high temperatures – such as that which is utilized during the deodorizing or soft column refining process – making it a useful indicator of the presence of deodorized olive oil as well as the age of the oil.

Not used by all oil councils or organizations yet.  Australian standard is less than or equal to 17, EVA standard is less than or equal to 15, Ultra Premium standard is less than or equal to 5.