The main objective of the project is to enhance the utilization of olive by-products to develop a nutraceutical with anti-inflammatory activity and to understand the effects of its prolonged consumption on the biological mechanisms related to its bioactivity in the body.

To achieve this objective, methodologies for the extraction and microencapsulation of bioactive compounds present in olive leaves and olive pomace will be optimized at the laboratory scale to maximize the extraction efficiency of these phytochemicals. The obtained extracts will be thoroughly characterized to identify the bioactive fraction in their composition, and those with the highest content of these compounds will be evaluated in vitro to determine which extract exhibits the greatest anti-inflammatory activity.

Subsequently, the production of this bioactive ingredient will be scaled up to pilot and industrial levels, followed by the formulation and production of a nutraceutical that will be evaluated in a longitudinal nutritional intervention study lasting several months. Throughout this intervention, the general health status of each volunteer will be monitored through a mobile application, and samples of blood, saliva, urine, and stool will be collected. These samples will then be analyzed using a combination of various omics platforms (metabolomics, epigenomics, and microbiomics) to provide a holistic view of how the human body responds to the consumption of bioactive compounds from olives and the effects of this consumption.

The innovative aspect of this proposal lies in the creation of a new circular bioeconomy model within the olive sector, thanks to the comprehensive utilization of by-products from this industry for the formulation of the nutraceutical and the understanding of the effects of its prolonged intake.

Final Project Results Guide