Year: 2026
Type: dissertation
Abstract: The aim of this study is to characterize eight different samples of olive pomace, obtained from six Portuguese cultivars (‘Negrinha’, ‘Verdeal’, ‘Cobrançosa’, ‘Cornicabra’, ‘Carrasquenha’, ‘Bical’) across four growing regions, evaluating their chemical composition, extractable fractions, lignocellulosic structure, and biological activity as part of an assessment of its potential for sustainable valorization. The olive pomace samples were analyzed for moisture, ash, lignin and sugar content, and fractionated by Soxhlet extraction using solvents of increasing polarity. Composition varied substantially among samples, with differences observed between cultivars and geographical origins. Autohydrolysis followed by enzymatic hydrolysis confirmed the suitability of olive pomace as a lignocellulosic substrate for fermentable sugar production, with Ultimase BWL 40 the most effective of three tested enzymes, releasing 0.273 mg/mL glucose after 24 h. Ethanol extracts showed notable antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity, strongest in the ‘Verdeal’ and ‘Carrasquenha’ cultivars, with antimicrobial effects most pronounced against Aspergillus brasiliensis and Staphylococcus aureus. These results confirm olive pomace as a valuable, underexploited lignocellulosic biomass rather than mere agricultural waste, with strong potential for future application in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and biotechnology industries within a circular-economy and biorefinery framework.
Author: Kirovski, Simeon
Language: English
Subfield: Organic Chemistry
Field: Chemistry
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7225278905