Funded under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), Mission 4 Component 2 Investment 1.3, Theme 10.
Funded under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), Mission 4 Component 2 Investment 1.3, Theme 10.
Highlights
Spoke 02
Research activities progressed from the identification of promising agro-industrial matrices to the development of laboratory- and pilot-scale integrated processes. Heterogeneous materials including grape pomace, artichokes, legumes, spent grains and exhausted yeasts were studied as sources of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, carotenoids, proteins and dietary fibres. Low-impact extraction technologies — including controlled hydrodynamic cavitation, ultrasound-assisted extraction, green solvents, autohydrolysis and supercritical CO₂ — were applied to improve recovery yields while reducing energy consumption and environmental burdens.
These approaches were complemented by microbial and enzymatic biotechnologies. Fermentation-based processes enhanced nutrient bioavailability, reduced antinutritional compounds and mycotoxins, and generated metabolites of functional interest. Additional valorisation pathways involved bioconversion through insects and microalgae, enabling the transformation of agro-industrial residues into nutrient-rich biomasses and functional fractions suitable for further industrial applications.
Advanced analytical characterisation played a central role in guiding technological optimisation. NMR, IR and GC–MS analyses, in vitro digestion models and sensory studies supported the evaluation of safety, quality and acceptability of newly developed ingredients and food prototypes. Integration with Life Cycle Assessment methodologies provided a scientific basis for estimating the environmental impacts of emerging circular value chains.
WP 2.1 strengthened technological pathways for recovering bioactive compounds and functional materials from agri-food residues, contributing to the transition from linear waste management to structured circular production models.
Novel mild and downstream technologies for green extraction of bioactive compounds (e.g., controlled hydrodynamic cavitation, deep eutectic solvents, microwave- ultrasound, biodegradable solvent-assisted extraction, pulsed electric field, plasma, high pressure, CO2-SFE, auto- hydrolysis process, membrane technologies) from food by- products/waste and their biochemical, microbiological, structural and functional characterization in terms of composition to define the optimal valorisation strategy.
(Bio)technological and bio catalytical processes (microorganisms, microalgae, insects, enzymes) for food by- products/waste pre-treatment and reuse in food/feed and non- food chains (in connection with Spokes 3 and 4).
Safety, nutritional, texture and rheological value assessment by different spectroscopic analyses (NMR, IR, MS, HPLC, X-Ray scanner, other assays) of new products from agri-food by-products/waste and sensory analyses and consumer involvement strategies to enhance acceptability and evaluate market potentials of novel foods. Selected extracted compounds in Task 2.1.1 and 2.1.2 will be used for formulation, design, and development of prototypes from agri- food/marine by-products/waste (in connection with Spokes 3 and 4).
New sustainable processes for stabilisation and sanitization of biomasses to be reintroduced in the production chain (in connection with Spoke 3). High pressure homogenization will be applied to biomasses as an alternative to thermal treatment for microbial inactivation. In addition, essential oils and aroma compounds will be tested to inactivate pathogenic and spoilage microbial species.
Environmental performance of new-products and processes from the previous tasks for sustainable food systems and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) following a cradle to grave approach (in connection with Spokes 1 and 7).
Optimization of green/mild technologies applied to extract bioactives/proteins/peptides from agri- food/dairy by-products/waste (M18)
Characterization of bioactive compounds extracted from agri-food specific by- products/waste (M24)
Biotechnological and bio catalytical processes for pre-treatments/reuse of specific by- products/waste (M24) M2.1.3.1. Obtainment of bio-compounds from agri-food by-products/waste as ingredients for cosmeceuticals, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, safe novel foods and feeds (M24)
Identification of the most suitable method for the biomass stabilisation and sanitization (M24)
Finalised environmental sustainability results of new bio-based processes and products (M30).
