Olive Waste

The invention relates to a process for producing extracts with valuable bioactive compounds from waste pomace generated during olive oil processing, which in return also minimises the environmental burden generated by the waste products. The resulting olive extracts are a source of Vitamin E, squalene & polyphenols, which offer skin moisturising properties when used in cosmetics.

Two types of extracts can be produced using this proprietary method and have been analysed for the desired component. These include,

• Water-soluble extract containing polyphenolic antioxidants, which is able to provide anti-aging properties, photo-protection and hair colour protection.
• Oil-soluble extract containing vitamin E and squalene,  which provide skin moisturising properties and can be added to the oil phase of cosmetic emulsions or to tissue oil mixtures

Additionally, the freeze-dried olive pomace powder can be used as a natural skin exfoliator and can also be processed into a fine powder, which can be used in a number of food applications. The anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity of these extracts provide skincare products with non-irritating, skin purifying properties.  

The technology has been demonstrated at laboratory scale and financial investment is required to scale up the process.