Macro and micro functional components of a spreadable olive by-product (pâté) generated by new concept of two-phase decanter

Comparative Study of Microwave, Pulsed Electric Fields, and High Pressure Processing on the Extraction of Antioxidants from Olive Pomace

Olive oil production is characterized by large amounts of waste, and yet is considerably highly valued. Olive pomace can serve as a cheap source of bioactive compounds (BACs) with important antioxidant activity. Novel technologies like Pulsed Electric Fields (PEF) and High Pressure (HP) and microwave (MW) processing are considered green alternatives for the recovery of BACs. Different microwave (150-600 W), PEF (1-5 kV/cm field strength, 100-1500 pulses/15 µs width), and HP (250-650 MPa) conditions, in various product/solvent ratios, methanol concentrations, extraction temperatures, and processing times were investigated. Results indicated that the optimal MW extraction conditions were 300 W at 50 °C for 5 min using 60% v/v methanol with a product/solvent ratio of 1:10 g/mL. Similarly, the mix of 40% v/v methanol with olive pomace, treated at 650 MPa for the time needed for pressure build-up (1 min) were considered as optimal extraction conditions in the case of HP, while for PEF the optimal conditions were 60% v/v methanol with a product/solvent ratio of 1:10 g/mL, treated at 5000 pulses, followed by 1 h extraction under stirring conditions. Therefore, these alternative extraction technologies could assist the conventional practice in minimizing waste production and simultaneously align with the requirements of the circular bioeconomy concept.

A New Culture Medium Rich in Phenols Used for Screening Bitter Degrading Strains of Lactic Acid Bacteria to Employ in Table Olive Production

The olive oil industry recently introduced a novel multi-phase decanter with the "Leopard DMF" series, which gives a by-product called pâté, made up of pulp and olive wastewater with a high content of phenolic substances and without pits. This study aims to create a new culture medium, the Olive Juice Broth (OJB), from DMF pâté, and apply it to select bacteria strains able to survive and degrade the bitter substances normally present in the olive fruit. Thirty-five different bacterial strains of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum from the CREA-IT.PE Collection of Microorganisms were tested. Seven strains characterized by ≥50% growth in OJB (B31, B137, B28, B39, B124, B130, and B51) showed a degradation of the total phenolic content of OJB ≥ 30%. From this set, L. plantarum B51 strain was selected as a starter for table olive production vs. spontaneous fermentation. The selected inoculant effectively reduced the debittering time compared to spontaneous fermentation. Hydroxytyrosol, derived from oleuropein and verbascoside degradation, and tyrosol, derived from ligstroside degradation, were produced faster than during spontaneous fermentation. The OJB medium is confirmed to be useful in selecting bacterial strains resistant to the complex phenolic environment of the olive fruit.

Exploitation of virgin olive oil by-products (Olea europaea L.): phenolic and volatile compounds transformations phenomena in fresh two-phase olive pomace ('alperujo') under different storage conditions

BACKGROUND

Much effort has recently been spent for re-using virgin olive oil by-products as nutraceutical ingredients for human diet thanks to their richness in bioactive phenols, but their management is not easy for producers. We aimed to provide useful information for a better management of fresh olive pomace before drying, by studying the phenolic and volatile compounds transformations phenomena of fresh olive pomace stored under different conditions planned to simulate controlled and uncontrolled temperature conditions in olive oil mills.

RESULTS

The evolution of the phenolic and volatile compounds was studied by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-MS) and headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS). The phenolic profile varied rapidly during storage: the verbascoside content decreased about 70% after 17 days even at 4 °C, while the content of simple phenols such as hydroxytyrosol and caffeic acid increased over time. The low temperature was able to slow down these phenomena. A total of 94 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were detected in the fresh olive pomace, with a prevalence of lipoxygenase (LOX) VOCs (78%), mainly aldehydes (19 490.9 μg kg^-1 ) despite the higher number of alcohols. A decrease in LOX volatiles and a quick development of the ones linked to off-flavors (carboxylic acids, alcohols, acetates) were observed, in particular after 4 days of storage at room temperature. Only storage at 4 °C allowed these phenomena to be slowed down.

CONCLUSION

To preserve the natural phenolic phytocomplex of fresh olive pomace before drying and to avoid off-flavors development, storage in open containers must be avoided and a short storage in cold rooms (7-10 days) is to be preferred. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Olive Cake Powder as Functional Ingredient to Improve the Quality of Gluten-Free Breadsticks

The growing demand for high-quality gluten-free baked snacks has led researchers to test innovative ingredients. The aim of this work was to assess the feasibility of olive cake powder (OCP) to be used as a functional ingredient in gluten-free (GF) breadsticks. OCP was used by replacing 1, 2, and 3% of maize flour into GF breadstick production (BS1, BS2, BS3, respectively), and their influence on nutritional, bioactive, textural, and sensorial properties was assessed and compared with a control sample (BSC). BS1, BS2, and BS3 showed a higher lipid, moisture, and ash content. BS2 and BS3 had a total dietary fibre higher than 3 g 100 g⁻¹, achieving the nutritional requirement for it to be labelled as a “source of fibre”. The increasing replacement of olive cake in the formulation resulted in progressively higher total phenol content and antioxidant activity for fortified GF breadsticks. The L* and b* values decreased in all enriched GF breadsticks when compared with the control, while hardness was the lowest in BS3. The volatile profile highlighted a significant reduction in aldehydes, markers of lipid oxidation, and Maillard products (Strecker aldehydes, pyrazines, furans, ketones) in BS1, BS2, and BS3 when compared with BSC. The sensory profile showed a strong influence of OCP addition on GF breadsticks for almost all the parameters considered, with a higher overall pleasantness score for BS2 and BS3.

Olive Pomace and Pâté Olive Cake as Suitable Ingredients for Food and Feed

Olive oil extraction generates several by-products that represent an environmental issue, mainly for Mediterranean countries where olive oil is mostly produced. These by-products represent an ecological issue for their phenolic components, such as oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, and tyrosol. However, olive oil by-products can be treated and properly exploited in different fields for their health-promoting properties, and they represent great potential for the food and beverage, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. Furthermore, recovery and treatment processes can contribute to efficient waste management, which can enhance the sustainability of the olive oil industry, and in turn, lead to relevant economic benefits. The solid waste, i.e., olive pomace, could be considered to be a suitable matrix or primary resource of molecules with high added value due to their high phenolic content. Olive pomace, at different moisture contents, is the main by-product obtained from two- or three-phase extraction systems. A commonly used centrifugal extraction system, i.e., a multiphase decanter (DMF), does not require the addition of water and can generate a new by-product called pâté or olive pomace cake, consisting of moist pulp that is rich in phenols, in particular, secoiridoids, without any trace of kernel. Although several reviews have been published on olive wastes, only a few reviews have specifically focused on the solid by-products. Therefore, the aim of the present review is to provide a comprehensive overview on the current valorization of the main solid olive oil by-products, in particular, olive pomace or pâté olive cake, highlighting their use in different fields, including human nutrition.

Volatile Profile of Two-Phase Olive Pomace (Alperujo) by HS-SPME-GC-MS as a Key to Defining Volatile Markers of Sensory Defects Caused by Biological Phenomena in Virgin Olive Oil

An olive pomace from the two-phase decanter stored in different conditions was used as a model to simulate the detrimental biological phenomena occurring during olive oil processing and storage. A group of EVOO and defective oils were also analyzed. The volatile fraction was studied with HS-SPME-GC-MS; 127 volatiles were identified (55 of which tentatively identified) and evaluated over time. Seven volatiles were tentatively identified for the first time in olive oil; the role of C6 alcohols in detrimental biological phenomena was highlighted. Suitable volatile markers for defects of microbiological origin were defined, particularly the fusty/muddy sediment. They were then applied to olive oils with different quality categories; one of the markers was able to discriminate among EVOOs and all the defective samples, including the borderline ones. The marker was constituted by the sum of concentrations of 10 esters, 4 alcohols, 1 ketone, and 1 α-hydroxy-ketone but no carboxylic acids.

Food by-products valorisation: Grape pomace and olive pomace (pâté) as sources of phenolic compounds and fiber for enrichment of tagliatelle pasta

Wine and olive oil making by-products are rich sources of bioactive compounds suitable for new healthy recipes of staple foods. In this study, the profile of pasta (tagliatelle) fortified with 7% of grape pomace (GP) or olive pomace (pâté, OP) was studied, focusing on phenolic compounds after cooking. The enriched tagliatelle retained the same monoglycosylated and acetylated anthocyanins found in grape pomace. The fortified tagliatelle with a new milling by-product called pâté retained hydroxytyrosol after cooking (6.6 mg/100 g). In both the two types of enriched tagliatelle the fiber content increased of approx. 3%, while the added phenols retained after cooking by tagliatelle fortified with GP and OP were 6.21 mg/100 g and 9 mg/100 g, respectively. The fortified tagliatelle retained a good cooking resistance and a good texture after cooking, thus enhancing the nutritional profile of pasta, a staple food usually characterized by a negligible amount of phenolic compounds and fiber.

Olive Pomace-Derived Biomasses Fractionation through a Two-Step Extraction Based on the Use of Ultrasounds: Chemical Characteristics

Olive-derived biomass is not only a renewable bioenergy resource but also it can be a source of bioproducts, including antioxidants. In this study, the antioxidant composition of extracted olive pomace (EOP) and a new byproduct, the residual fraction from olive pit cleaning (RFOPC or residual pulp) was characterized and compared to olive leafy biomass, which have been extensively studied as a source of antioxidants and other bioactive compounds with pharmacological properties. The chemical characterization showed that these byproducts contain a high amount of extractives; in the case of EOP, it was even higher (52.9%) than in olive leaves (OL) and olive mill leaves (OML) (35.8-45.1%). Then, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) was applied to recover antioxidants from the extractive fraction of these biomasses. The solubilization of antioxidants was much higher for EOP, correlating well with the extractives content and the total extraction yield. Accordingly, this also affected the phenolic richness of the extracts and the differences between all biomasses were diminished. In any case, the phenolic profile and the hydroxytyrosol cluster were different. While OL, OML, and EOP contained mainly hydroxytyrosol derivatives and flavones, RFOPC presented novel trilignols. Other compounds were also characterized, including secoiridoids, hydroxylated fatty acids, triterpenoids, among others, depending on the bioresource. Moreover, after the UAE extraction step, alkaline extraction was applied recovering a liquid and a solid fraction. While the solid fraction could of interest for further valorization as a biofuel, the liquid fraction contained proteins, sugars, and soluble lignin, which conferred antioxidant properties to these extracts, and whose content depended on the biomass and conditions applied.

Olive Pâté by Multi-Phase Decanter as Potential Source of Bioactive Compounds of Both Nutraceutical and Anticancer Effects

In the oil sector, a novelty in the centrifugal extraction system is represented by the multi-phase decanters (DMF) that work without adding process water and with the advantage of recovering a dried pomace and a by-product, called “pâté”, consisting of the pulp and its vegetation water, without traces of stone. The pâté has a high content of phenolic compounds, mainly represented by secoiridoids and verbascoside. The present work investigated the efficacy of two different ways of debittering (by sequential filtrations and spontaneous fermentation) of DMF pâté from three olive cultivars (Olea europaea L. “Leccino”, “Carboncella” and “Tortiglione”) to make the pâté edible, and, contemporary, investigated also the effect of its phenolic bioactive extracts on pathogenic bacteria and colon cancer cell model. Daily filtrations of pâté of the three cultivars have been shown to be more efficient in phenolic degradation. The activity of the indigenous microflora on the other hand takes a longer time to degrade the phenolic component and therefore to de-bitter it. None of pâté showed antibacterial activity. Colorimetric assay MTS for cell viability and metabolic activity tested on colon cancer cells Caco-2 and HCT116 suggest a potential beneficial effect of the dried extracts probably related to the modulation of gene expression under these treatments.

Olive Mill Wastes: A Source of Bioactive Molecules for Plant Growth and Protection against Pathogens

Simple Summary

Olive oil is the most common vegetable oil used for human nutrition, and its production represents a major economic sector in Mediterranean countries. The milling industry generates large amounts of liquid and solid residues, whose disposal is complicated and costly due to their polluting properties. However, olive mill waste (OMW) may also be seen as a source of valuable biomolecules including plant nutrients, anthocyanins, flavonoids, polysaccharides, and phenolic compounds. This review describes recent advances and multidisciplinary approaches in the identification and isolation of valuable natural OMW-derived bioactive molecules. Such natural compounds may be potentially used in numerous sustainable applications in agriculture such as fertilizers, biostimulants, and biopesticides in alternative to synthetic substances that have a negative impact on the environment and are harmful to human health.

Abstract

Olive oil production generates high amounts of liquid and solid wastes. For a long time, such complex matrices were considered only as an environmental issue, due to their polluting properties. On the other hand, olive mill wastes (OMWs) exert a positive effect on plant growth when applied to soil due to the high content of organic matter and mineral nutrients. Moreover, OMWs also exhibit antimicrobial activity and protective properties against plant pathogens possibly due to the presence of bioactive molecules including phenols and polysaccharides. This review covers the recent advances made in the identification, isolation, and characterization of OMW-derived bioactive molecules able to influence important plant processes such as plant growth and defend against pathogens. Such studies are relevant from different points of view. First, basic research in plant biology may benefit from the isolation and characterization of new biomolecules to be potentially applied in crop growth and protection against diseases. Moreover, the valorization of waste materials is necessary for the development of a circular economy, which is foreseen to drive the future development of a more sustainable agriculture.

Micronization increases the bioaccessibility of polyphenols from granulometrically separated olive pomace fractions

The effect of micronization of granulometrically fractionated olive pomace (OP) on the bioaccessibility of polyphenols and the antioxidant capacity was investigated during sequential in vitro static digestion. Crude OP was fractionated in a 2-mm sieve (F1: > 2 mm; F2: < 2 mm) and then micronized (300 r min^-1, 5 h) generating F1AG (17.8 μm) and F2AG (15.6 μm). Micronization increased the release of hydroxytyrosol, oleuropein, caffeic acid, and decarboxymethyl oleuropein aglycone (3,4-DHPEA-EDA) in the salivary and gastric phase, beyond luteolin in the gastric phase. Micronization also increased the intestinal bioaccessibility of hydroxytyrosol, 3,4-DHPEA-EDA, oleuropein, luteolin, and apigenin; it was more effective for F2AG than F1AG. Micronized samples increased antioxidant capacity in the gastric phase. F2AG exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity in the insoluble intestinal fraction. Thus, micronization can be further exploited to improve the nutraceutical properties of OP by increasing the bioaccessibility and antioxidant capacity of phenolic compounds.

An Innovative Olive Pâté with Nutraceutical Properties

Food plays a central role in health, especially through consumption of plant-derived foods. Functional foods, supplements, and nutraceuticals are increasingly entering the market to respond to consumer demand for healthy products. They are foods, supplements, and ingredients which offer health benefits beyond the standard nutritional value. Some benefits are associated with phenolic compounds and phytochemicals with antioxidant properties. An olive pâté (OP) was added with antioxidants derived from olive mill wastewater (OMWW) to obtain a functional product rich in phenolic compounds. The olive pâté is produced from the ground olive pericarp, which shows an excellent natural antioxidant content. The OMWW is a waste product from oil processing, which is also rich in phenolic compounds. The result was a product rich in trans-resveratrol, OH tyrosol, and tyrosol in concentrations such as satisfying the European community’s claims regarding the possible antioxidant action on plasma lipids with excellent shelf-life stability. The total phenolic content was assayed by a colorimetric method, the antioxidant activity by the ABTS [(2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)] test, the phenolic profile by Q Exactive Orbitrap LC-MS/MS. The shelf-life stability was confirmed by yeast, molds, and total microbial count, pH, and water activity determinations, and the best pasteurization parameters were determined. The palatability was judged as excellent.

Reinforced Olive Pâté as a Source of Antioxidants with Positive Effects on Young Smokers

Background and objectives: Olive pâté (OP) is an olive-derived product with potentially beneficial effects on human health due to the presence of natural antioxidants. The present dietary supplementation study aimed to evaluate the effects on blood antioxidant levels of an olive pâté reinforced with natural antioxidants (ROP) recovered from olive mill waste. Materials and methods: Ninety-eight healthy volunteers (M = 54, 55%, age 18–25) were divided into two groups: A (n = 49), practicing three or more days of physical activity a week, and B (n = 49), practicing less than two. Each group was split into two subgroups, receiving dietary supplementation with OP or ROP. The status of smoker was also recorded, and a biological antioxidant potential (BAP) test was performed on each subject. Results: The BAP values increased with both OP (n = 30) and ROP (n = 68) but ROP supplementation showed higher increments (736.9 μmol/L) than OP (339.6). The increment was significantly higher for smokers (n = 15), 1122.9 vs. non-smokers (n = 53), 635.7, with values in percent of baseline, respectively, 34.6% and 16.2% (P < 0.01). Conclusions: The ROP nutritional supplementation appears useful to increase antioxidant activity, with better effect in smokers; further studies should confirm the finding and investigate its biological bases.

Sensory Profiling and Consumer Acceptance of Pasta, Bread, and Granola Bar Fortified with Dried Olive Pomace (Pâté): A Byproduct from Virgin Olive Oil Production

An olive pomace (pâté) obtained from virgin olive oil production, was used for the fortification of pasta, bread, and granola bar. For each food, a control (without pâté) and a fortified sample (with pâté, 7% in pasta and 5% in bread and granola bar) were manufactured. Descriptive analysis showed that pâté strongly affected the appearance of pasta and bread and increased the bitterness of bread and granola bar but not pasta. Granola bar was less affected in general, likely because of its higher ingredient complexity. In a central location test with 175 Californian consumers, both the control and the fortified samples of all three foods were well accepted overall, with only the mean liking of the appearance of the fortified pasta falling below the "neither like nor dislike" mark. Approximately 30% of consumers preferred the fortified sample over the control for each food and 50% were willing to pay more for the fortified products. The percentage of phenols from pâté recovered in the prepared samples was such that 63 g of pasta, 18 g of bread, and 12 g of granola bar would be sufficient to meet the EFSA health claim for olive oil phenols. This study demonstrates that pâté can be used for fortification of foods for human consumption, thus adding potential economic value to the virgin olive oil production chain and allowing for a higher daily intake of phenols from Olea europaea L., whose beneficial health properties are well recognized. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The dried olive oil pomace (pâté) that we developed and tested in this research can be used to fortify pasta, bread, and granola bars with health-beneficial phenols with only slight alterations of their sensory profiles and slight reduction in consumer acceptance. Virgin olive oil producers can use this byproduct and gain further economic value from olive oil production.

Patè Olive Cake: Possible Exploitation of a By-Product for Food Applications

Patè Olive Cake (POC) is a new by-product derived from recently introduced new decanters in the olive oil production process. POC, is essentially composed of water, olive pulp and olive skin, and is rich in several valuable bioactive compounds. Moreover, it still contains about 8-12% residual olive oil. We characterized the main bioactive compounds in POC from black olives (cv. Leccino and Cellina di Nardò) and also verified the biotechnological aptitude of selected yeast and lactic acid bacteria from different sources, in transforming POC into a new fermented product. The strategy of sequential inoculum of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Leuconostoc mesenteroides was successful in driving the fermentation process. In fermented POC total levels of phenols were slightly reduced when compared with a non-fermented sample nevertheless the content of the antioxidant hydroxytyrosol showed increased results. The total levels of triterpenic acids, carotenoids, and tocochromanols results were almost unchanged among the samples. Sensory notes were significantly improved after fermentation due to the increase of superior alcohols, esters, and acids. The results reported indicate a possible valorisation of this by-product for the preparation of food products enriched in valuable healthy compounds.

Green and Sustainable Separation of Natural Products from Agro-Industrial Waste: Challenges, Potentialities, and Perspectives on Emerging Approaches

New generations of biorefinery combine innovative biomass waste resources from different origins, chemical extraction and/or synthesis of biomaterials, biofuels, and bioenergy via green and sustainable processes. From the very beginning, identifying and evaluating all potentially high value-added chemicals that could be removed from available renewable feedstocks requires robust, efficient, selective, reproducible, and benign analytical approaches. With this in mind, green and sustainable separation of natural products from agro-industrial waste is clearly attractive considering both socio-environmental and economic aspects. In this paper, the concepts of green and sustainable separation of natural products will be discussed, highlighting the main studies conducted on this topic over the last 10 years. The principal analytical techniques (such as solvent, microwave, ultrasound, and supercritical treatments), by-products (e.g., citrus, coffee, corn, and sugarcane waste) and target compounds (polyphenols, proteins, essential oils, etc.) will be presented, including the emerging green and sustainable separation approaches towards bioeconomy and circular economy contexts.