Researchers Launched Olive Waste Recovery Project
BKEA Ltd and Middle East Technical University initiated a 24-month study to extract bioactive compounds from olive pomace.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Nutrition
Live Poll
Should industrial research prioritize converting agricultural waste into new commercial products?
In 2024, BKEA Ltd and Middle East Technical University launched the SustainOlive research project. This initiative focuses on developing methods to recover valuable proteins and phenolic compounds from olive pomace, a byproduct of olive oil production.
Why it matters
During standard processing, only a small fraction of beneficial phenolic compounds transfers into olive oil. This research aims to capture the remaining chemistry trapped in industrial waste, potentially creating new sustainable resources.
The SustainOlive project (MCST-TÜBİTAK-2024-11) is a 24-month research initiative. It focuses on recovering lipids, phenolic compounds, and proteins from olive pomace material.
The players
BKEA Ltd
A research entity based in Malta that is co-leading the development of new olive waste extraction methods.
Middle East Technical University
A public research university located in Türkiye that is collaborating on the SustainOlive project.
The details
The research team utilizes closed-loop systems to recover oil-soluble compounds from olive pomace waste. Scientists are also employing Deep Eutectic Solvents combined with ultrasound-assisted extraction to isolate polar bioactive fractions for further study.
Timeline
The SustainOlive research project was launched in 2024.
The Big Picture
This research initiative was funded and established under the guidelines set by the MCST-TÜBİTAK Joint Call for Research and Innovation. It follows the broader scientific trend of valorizing agricultural side-streams through circular economy principles.
Future results from this project may eventually lead to new nutritional supplements or functional food ingredients derived from olive waste. These developments could provide consumers with more accessible sources of beneficial plant-based antioxidants and proteins.
The takeaway
This project highlights how industrial byproducts like olive pomace can be repurposed into valuable health resources. Readers interested in sustainable nutrition should watch for future findings regarding the bioavailability of the peptides tested in this study.
Further reading
Learn more about the intersection of food science and sustainability in our Nutrition section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Plumtri.
Live Poll
Should industrial research prioritize converting agricultural waste into new commercial products?
