How Organic Waste from Wine Production Becomes Raw Material or Semi-Finished Product in Further Processing

Today, the final presentation of the results of the project ‘Application of Innovative Technologies in the Isolation of Bioactive Compounds from Organic Waste in Wine Production’ was held at the Mimara Museum in Zagreb. The project, worth 4.2 million kuna, was co-financed by EU funds at a rate of 85 percent, lasted 16 months, and was realized in cooperation with several Croatian universities and the private sector.

The main goal of the project is to develop and apply conventional and new techniques for the extraction and isolation of bioactive compounds from organic waste from wine production and their potential applications as raw materials or semi-finished products in further processing (for functional food, pharmaceutical/cosmetic products, etc.).

The Dean of the Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology (PBF), Damir Ježek, stated at the opening of the conference that this is just one in a series of EU co-financed projects being implemented at this faculty.

– I am particularly pleased that such a project has been recognized by the relevant ministry – said Ježek, adding that they had discussions a week ago with a partner interested in the market realization of the project.

The Vice-Rector of the University of Zadar, Slaven Zjalić, emphasized that he is particularly pleased with the successful cooperation between the universities of Zagreb and Zadar.

– I hope there will be many more projects of such importance on which our partnership will continue – he stated.

Academician Ferdo Bašić emphasized that post-harvest residues contain substances that can be commercialized and that their processing can reduce CO2 emissions into the atmosphere.

– Carbon management is a trend on a global scale, and therefore this is an exceptionally interesting area. HAZU welcomes this method of financing scientific projects from EU funds – concluded Bašić.

At the continuation of the conference, eminent professors from European universities (Italy, Turkey, Spain) will present the latest achievements in the application of new techniques in the isolation of bioactive compounds, and members of the Project Team will present the results they have achieved during the implementation of the project.