AGROALNEXT Project: Revaluing fruit by-products for their beneficial effect on the gut microbiome. A strategy for promoting local agriculture.

The agricultural activity in the Valencian Community includes a large area of small plots and family farms dedicated to traditional or organic farming. Their limited production, the seasonality of local harvests, and, in many cases, the mismatch with established high quality standards prevent them from integrating into markets, resulting in significant production and economic losses and jeopardizing the survival of their activity. In this context, the authorities are promoting the reduction and valorization of byproducts, the circular economy, and the development and application of sustainable technologies that do not generate effluents or require chemical products. The primary target audience for these new ingredients is postmenopausal women with chronic inflammatory processes related to an altered gut microbiota. This is because the high-value-added ingredients contain components of persimmons and oranges that can have beneficial effects on the bacteria residing in the gut. The inclusion of these new beneficial ingredients could constitute a differentiating factor in the promotion of local products and could be used as a promotional label.