A Spanish research project is evaluating the use of olive pomace paste for the development new health products.
New uses and benefits of olive pomace paste are explored in NUDACE, a Spanish research project that focuses on the obtention of nutraceuticals and functional ingredients from olives, with a view to helping fight degenerative processes associated to ageing.
Nutraceuticals are substances isolated from foods or herbal products that provide multiple nutritional and therapeutic properties. They are generally sold in medicinal forms not usually associated with food.
A research consortium formed by Matarromera Group; Spain’s Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness; the Institute of Biology and Molecular Genetics (IBGM-CSIC,); and AINIA, a Spanish research institution, works on the identification of these beneficial substances found in olive pomace paste with a view to improving extraction processes and enhancing the healthy traits of olive oils.
Olive pomace is a by-product of olive oil production. It is formed by the water, skin and stones that remain after extraction and has the potential use in the development of health products because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Depending on factors related to olive cultivation and processing, olive pomace paste has different chemical, physical and biological characteristics which the extracted compounds reflect.
The paste used for the project is provided by Oliduero, an olive oil mill which belongs to Matarromera Group. It is located in Castilla y León, a Spanish region with a continental climate.
Distinct project phases and responsibilities have been defined for the joint R&D exercise. More