An-Najah Staff

The physical properties such as: density, refractive index, viscosity, and acidity of samples of olive oil from different  geographical locations and heights in Palestine were measured. The measured physical properties are in agreement  with the international and local assigned value. The concentration of Al, Cd, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb and Zn  elements in olive oil samples are measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry ICP-MS. It was found  that Magnesium (Mg) is the most concentrated metal detected (294.738-782.968 μg/g), followed by concentration of  sodium (Na) (73.401-390.699 μg/g) and potassium (K) (18.473-168.883 μg/g). Concentrations of iron, copper and lead in Palestinian olive oil don’t agree with concentration of International Olive  Council (IOC). The differences in concentration in metals of olive oil depend on several factors among the type of olive  tree, storage age, height and geographical location. There is a positive relation between the concentration of metals in  olive oil and physical properties as density, refractive index, viscosity, and acidity. The daily intake rate of these metals  shows no risk to human health according to US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)