SIMBIOLIVA Operational Group: New biotechnological solutions for a circular economy of alperujo

SIMBIOLIVA proposes a strategy based on physical and chemical processes (three-phase centrifugation and increased temperature during thermomixing, which reduces the presence of polyphenols by solubilizing them), along with biological treatments, applying a load of specific microorganisms that ultimately degrade the polyphenols in the olive oil, thereby reducing treatment times. This will allow us to obtain a system that results in a Nature-Based Solution that has a direct and positive impact on the olive and agricultural sectors.

For the San Pablo CEU University, the project involves the development of microbial consortia that allow the properties of olive oil to be improved as a substrate. The aim is to develop microbial communities that allow the reduction of polyphenols present in olive oil and, as far as possible, improve the properties of the product as an organic amendment. The creation of these consortia is extremely useful for the oil industry and will allow the university to generate a nature-based solution for the sector. This technology presents important advantages as a means of decontaminating products and generating solutions with reduced energy costs and with lower installation requirements, given that its action will be based on the growth of organisms in the medium itself.

For the company DMC, the project will allow the identification of new communities of microorganisms that improve plant development. This will allow the obtaining of new biostimulants that improve plant development and resist different types of abiotic stress. It will also collaborate in the development of new media that allow the survival and interaction of microorganisms with the plant to be improved. Currently, there are stimulant products for plants based on microorganisms, but it is necessary to improve their application through media that improve their interaction with the soil and roots. These communities on an improved support will also interact with the new organic amendment developed, alperujo, thus allowing the generation of a new medium with improved properties that favor the development of different plant species.

For El Ejidillo, the project will involve the development of new substrates that improve the interaction between soil, plant and microorganism. It will also evaluate the impact of biostimulants and treated alperujo as a whole on different species of agricultural, forestry and ornamental interest. In this way, knowledge will be increased in relation to the new organic amendment in interaction with beneficial soil bacteria. In this way, new methodologies will be available for improving soil fertility through organic amendments and their interaction with beneficial soil microorganisms. These techniques are key to improving the resilience of soil fertility in our current climate change conditions and can be applied to all types of Green Infrastructures.