Agrosimbiosis

R&D to help the agri-food industry face the challenges of climate change and increase its competitiveness.

Agrosimbiosis addresses the competitiveness gaps associated with the challenges of the climate crisis in the agri-food sector through the development and adaptation of technologies.

Within the context of this project, the R&D line “Obtaining high-value bioproducts from agroindustry” develops and validates a paste made from discarded walnuts for export, incorporating a microencapsulated polyphenol extract to improve its oxidative stability and promote its commercial viability.

This study arises from the collaboration between the Center for Systems Biotechnology of the Andrés Bello National University (CSB-UNAB) in Chile and Eurecat, entities with extensive experience in food technologies and environmental analysis.

Along these lines, Eurecat’s Nutrition and Health Unit evaluates whether the incorporation of this extract can affect the nutritional profile and physical and sensory stability of the product. Furthermore, the Waste, Energy and Environmental Impact (WEEI) Unit determines the environmental profile of the developed paste through an attributional and nutritional Life Cycle Analysis, identifying critical aspects with potential for improvement for its commercialisation.

As a result of this collaboration, it is expected to obtain an innovative ingredient that extends the shelf life of walnut paste, promoting its international marketing as a value-added product and contributing to the development of more sustainable products.