Olive Oil Mill Research Articles

Olive oil mill wastewater treatment by a combined process of freezing, sweating and thawing

Olive oil mill wastewater treatment by a combined process of freezing, sweating and thawing

El sacerdocio en san Agustín: Communio y Confessio

The article addresses the theme of priesthood as communio and confessio, showing first of all how the priest must make his life a prolonged Eucharist by becoming not only the minister of the Eucharist, but also how his life must be transformed into bread broken and shared for his brothers and sisters. On the other hand, the union of the priest with the cross of Christ is highlighted, and the Augustinian image of the olive oil mill and the commitment to bear good fruit for God is developed. Following the text of Conf. 10:39, the importance of the priest living in union with Christ is emphasized. Communion implies a participation in the cross of Christ and the four dimensions of the cross of Christ according to St. Augustine and its implications in the priestly life are pointed out. The importance of the priest as an agent of communion and unity within the Church is also highlighted. All these ideas are illustrated with the figures of some of the most famous priests of universal literature.

Monitoring Olive Oil Mill Wastewater Disposal Sites Using Sentinel-2 and PlanetScope Satellite Images: Case Studies in Tunisia and Greece

Mediterranean countries are known worldwide for their significant contribution to olive oil production, which generates large amounts of olive mill wastewater (OMW) that degrades land and water environments near the disposal sites. OMW consists of organic substances with high concentrations of phenolic compounds along with inorganic particles. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of satellite image analysis techniques using multispectral satellite data with high (PlanetScope, 3 × 3 m) and medium (Sentinel-2, 10 × 10 m) spatial resolution to detect Olive Mill Wastewater (OMW) disposal sites, both in the SidiBouzid region (Tunisia) and in the broader Rethymno region on the island of Crete, (Greece). Documentation of the sites was carried out by collecting spectral signatures of OMW at temporal periods. The study integrates the application of a variety of spectral vegetation indices (VIs), such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), in order to evaluate their efficiency in detecting OMW disposal areas. Furthermore, a set of image-processing methods was applied on satellite images to improve the monitoring of OMW ponds including the false-color composites (FCC), the Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and image fusion. Finally, different classification algorithms, such as the ISODATA, the maximum likelihood (ML), and the Support Vector Machine (SVM) were applied to both satellite images in order to assist in the overall approach to effectively detect the sites. The results obtained from different approaches were compared, evaluating the efficiency of Sentinel-2 and PlanetScope images to detect and monitor OMW disposal areas under different morphological environments.

Use of Ni-containing catalysts for synthetic olive mill wastewater steam reforming

The olive oil mill wastewater (OMW) is a by-product (with a high organic load) derived from the production of the olive oil. The OMW steam reforming (OMWSR) process was studied herein, aiming to decrease the environmental damage of such effluents; simultaneously, the waste is economically and energetically valorized with the H2 production. Several Ni-containing catalysts were prepared and tested to compare their performances for the OMWSR using a synthetic OMW effluent; still, stability tests were also carried out. The materials were extensively characterized: thermogravimetric analysis, temperature-programmed oxidation/reduction, temperature-programmed desorption of CO2/NH3, chemisorption of H2, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry and physical adsorption-desorption of N2 at −196 °C. Amongst the materials tested, the Ni–Ru/SiO2 sample stood out, exhibiting high catalytic performance: at 400 °C, the H2 yield (>8 molH2·molOMW-1) and conversion of total organic carbon (≈75%) were high during all the 24 h of the long-term test, with only a small deactivation being noticed.

Grape pomace in equine nutrition: effect on antioxidant status

Grape pomace in equine nutrition: effect on antioxidant status

Fe3+- IDS as a new green catalyst for water treatment by photo-Fenton process at neutral pH

In this work, a new green and fully biodegradable (96% after 28 days) catalyst, Fe3+-iminodisuccinate complex (Fe-IDS), was prepared, characterized and applied in Fenton processes (dark and photo-Fenton) for water treatment, using phenol as model organic pollutant. Experiments were performed both in dark and under solar/UV-C radiation to evaluate the effect of the light source and [H2O2] (fixed at 5.3 mM)/[Fe-IDS] ratio on the catalytic degradation of phenol (50 mg L−1). Subsequently, photo-Fenton IDS supported process was compared to other advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) (namely, conventional Fenton at pH 3 and H2O2 photolysis, under solar and UV-C irradiation, respectively). The best results (54% and 49% COD removals for solar and UV-C based processes, respectively) were obtained using a [H2O2]/[Fe-IDS] molar ratio of 250 (R250), corresponding to 0.021 mM of Fe-IDS followed by R500 (0.01 mM of Fe-IDS) and R150 (0.035 mM of Fe-IDS). Process efficiency was in the order solar/Fe-IDS/H2O2 >UV-C/Fe-IDS/H2O2 >Fe-IDS/H2O2 (k = −0.0114, −0.0073 and −0.0018 min−1 respectively) for R250. A complete removal of phenol in terms of COD was obtained for solar/Fe-IDS/H2O2 and UV-C/Fe-IDS/H2O2. Furthermore, the application of Fe-IDS complex for real industrial (olive oil mill) wastewater treatment was also investigated (initial COD in diluted sample 2.4 g L−1). At constant H2O2 concentration (58.82mM), the best performance in terms of COD removal (55%, k = 0.0031 min−1) and biodegradability (BOD5/COD increased from 0.16 to 0.45) was obtained for the condition R150 (0.37 mM of Fe-IDS). Fe-IDS allows to overcome the main limitation (acidic pH) of conventional (photo)Fenton process, making the IDS supported (photo)Fenton an attractive option for water and wastewater treatment in a wide pH range.

Museumization of olive oil mills: instruments for conservation of the heritage of the olive grove culture

Opposed to the historical concept of the olive oil mills as places just for transporting the fruit, milling and olive oil production, the growing interest in its museumization is turning them into gastronomic, cultural and ethnographic points of reference. This study analysed the components of the museumization of Andalusian olive oil mills, using the Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) technique and employing the fuzzy-set approach (fsQCA). To that end, it draws on the definition of museum put forward by the more progressive elements of the International Council of Museums (ICOM). The main implication from the results is that olive oil mill professionals should adapt the museum offer according to the needs and aspects identified by the causality results of the model, and design museumization strategies with actions tailored to olive oil tourism, in order to more effectively tackle the transformations needed in the sector and enable the conservation of olive cultural heritage.

Olive mill wastewater valorization through steam reforming using hybrid multifunctional reactors for high-purity H2 production

The main purpose of this study was to assess the benefits of different hybrid multifunctional reactors (sorption-enhanced reactor (SER), membrane reactor (MR) and sorption-enhanced membrane reactor (SEMR)) comparatively to a traditional reactor (TR) for H2 production through the steam reforming of olive oil mill wastewater (OMWSR). In all reactor configurations, an in-house prepared Ni-Ru/Ce-SiO2 catalyst was used, combined in the SERs with a potassium-promoted hydrotalcite-based sorbent to capture CO2. Additionally, in the MR and SEMR configurations, a commercial Pd-Ag membrane was utilized to separate H2 from the reaction medium.It was verified an increase in both the H2 production and catalyst stability using the SER (during the pre-breakthrough of CO2) in comparison with the TR. However, a higher enhancement of the H2 yield was observed using the SEMR (again during the pre–breakthrough period), which was less pronounced after the saturation of the sorbent (i.e., in the MR), due to the effect of the H2-selective membrane only. Furthermore, pure H2 can be obtained in the permeate side of the membrane reactors (in the absence of sweep gas).It was also demonstrated that the use of such multifunctional reactors (and particularly the SEMR) in the steam reforming of real olive mill effluents allows reducing drastically the pollutant load of these streams, while economically valorizing this waste with the production of green H2.

Automatic System for the Detection of Defects on Olive Fruits in an Oil Mill

The ripeness and sanitary state of olive fruits are key factors in the final quality of the virgin olive oil (VOO) obtained. Since even a small number of damaged fruits may significantly impact the final quality of the produced VOO, the olive inspection in the oil mill reception area or in the first stages of the productive process is of great interest. This paper proposes and validates an automatic defect detection system that utilizes infrared images, acquired under regular operating conditions of an olive oil mill, for the detection of defects on individual fruits. First, the image processing algorithm extracts the fruits based on the iterative application of the active contour technique assisted with mathematical morphology operations. Second, the defect detection is performed on the segmented olives using a decision tree based on region descriptors. The final assessment of the algorithm suggests that it works effectively with a high detection rate, which makes it suitable for the VOO industry.

Enhancing the nutritional and functional properties of Pleurotus citrinopileatus mushrooms through the exploitation of winery and olive mill wastes

Treatment and disposal of wineries and olive-oil mills waste is usually associated with complex processes, which are often of limited wide-scale applicability. Olive-leaves plus two-phase olive mill waste (OLW) or grape marc plus wheat straw (GMW) were assessed as substrates for the cultivation of the choice edible mushroom Pleurotus citrinopileatus. GMW led to increased mushroom biological efficiency and shorter production cycles. Antioxidant activities, triterpenic acids, free amino acids, lovastatin and ergosterol were significantly higher in fruitbodies from GMW; the latter compound was positively correlated with squalene concentrations in substrates. Glucans, resveratrol and fatty acids content showed minor differences among mushrooms from the three substrates examined, whereas ergothioneine was significantly higher in fruitbodies grown on OLW. High correlations were noted for oleanolic, ursolic and amino acid content in mushrooms and their respective substrates. Moreover, FTIR spectra revealed variations in fruitbodies content in bioactive compounds which were associated with the substrates used.

Utilization of Phenolic Compounds Extracted from Agro-Industrial Wastes as Natural Herbicides

Phenolic compounds are considered one of the most important secondary metabolites categories in plant that involved in allelopathic effect. Allelopathy is a chemical interaction between plants and could be defined as the stimulatory or inhibitory effects of a plant on the growth of another plant through the release of secondary compounds. The phenolic compounds, in orange juice peel waste (ORPW), olive oil mill waste (OLMW) and mango leaves waste (MLW), were extracted, then identified and determined by HPLC. The allelopathic effect of ORPW, OLMW and MLW aqueous extracts, at successive concentrations, was examined on germination and growth of two weed species (Phalaris minor Retz. and Malva parviflora L.) in petri dishes and pots bioassays. The main detected phenolic compounds were ferulic, chrysin, sinapic, p-hydroxybenzoic, quercetin and rosmarinic in ORPW extract, vanillic, cateachin, rutin, protocatechuic and gallic in MLW extract, and gallic, p-coumaric, protocatechuic, p-hydroxybenzoic, vanillic and ferulic in OLMW extract. The aqueous extracts of ORPW recorded the highest concentration of phenolic compounds and were the most effective in inhibition the germination and growth of both weed species followed by MLW and OLMW in petri dishes and pots trails. It can be concluded that the aqueous extracts of ORPW and MLW wastes have high contents of phenolic acids and could be utilized in controlling weeds as natural herbicides.

Familiness, business strategy and stakeholder engagement: The internationalisation of Spanish olive oil mills

AbstractBased on social capital theory and the family‐firm context, this paper studies familiness' composition and the result of the overlap of the family and firm systems, analysing their influence on the internationalisation strategies of family firms. In this relationship, the stakeholder engagement becomes at the same time an antecedent and a result when developing family businesses' strategies, being one of the most relevant the internationalisation strategies. Prior research focused on familiness as the result of proxy variables such as the percentage of ownership and management in family hands, or business size, instead of as psychological variables resulting from shared organisational culture and social interactions. Through a qualitative study based on 12 interviews of general managers and/or export managers of Spanish family olive oil mills, this study asserts that the level of familiness influences internationalisation strategies, the reasons underlying a business becoming international and its commitment to activities abroad being the role of stakeholders crucial in those interactions. The higher the level of familiness, the more likely the family business internationalisation and the higher their levels of international commitment. Additionally, the higher the concern about their stakeholders, the higher their levels of international commitment. The family businesses' concern for their stakeholders and their international commitment share a reciprocal relationship. The results regarding the relevance of familiness as social capital resources in sustaining competitive advantages support the decision to promote, develop and nurture social capital when a family business goes international.

Effect of storage time on the biodegradability of olive oil mill wastewater from the cold extraction of olive oil system

Abstract The olive oil processing industry’s liquid effluents (OMW) have a polluting capacity for the ecosystems. This study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical quality of OMW of two varieties of separated and combined olives cultivated in Khenchela Eastern Algeria, from the cold extraction of the olive oil extraction system. These was to determine their degree of pollution and biodegradability during one year of storage at ambient temperature to recommend the correct treatment for each storage time. Results of the measured parameters pH, EC,TSS percent, H2O percent, lipids, DM, OM, MM, VM, COT percent, NTK percent, C/N, BOD5, COD, BI, TOM, BOD5/COD show that wastewater from olive oil mills has an acid pH, and they are very loaded with organic matter evaluated in terms of COD and BOD5, quite filled with minerals. The storage of olive mill waste can reduce progressively the pollution caused by this waste. Whereas during one year, the reduction rate of COD, BOD5, TOM, BI, is respectively 29.4%, 54.8%, 39.16%, 54.2%, but C/N, BOD5/COD continue to increase as well as pH that continues to decrease during the storage. Accordingly, storing olive mill waste during a year reduces its pollution rate, so it is slowly biodegradable. When disposing of it, an adequate treatment procedure must be required to protect the environment.

Depuration Performance of Aerated Tanks Simulating Lagoons to Treat Olive Oil Mill Wastewater under Different Airflow Rates, and Concentrations of Polyphenols and Nitrogen

The uncontrolled disposal of olive oil mill wastewater (OMW) is hazardous for the health of water and soil, since this wastewater shows low pH and high contents of organic matter and polyphenols (PP). Lagooning is one of the most common treatment systems for agro-industrial wastewater (such as OMW), due to its low cost and easy management. Aeration allows reducing the low depuration time, which is a constraint for this system. Despite this potential feasibility, literature about OMW lagooning is not abundant. Moreover, the effects of the aeration rates, concentration of polyphenols and nitrogen shortage on depuration performance of lagoons treating OMW have not been properly explored. This study analyzes the removal rates of COD and PP, and variations of pH in OMW treated in aerated tanks at the laboratory scale simulating lagooning systems. Compared to the non-aerated tanks, aeration of OMW increased the removal rates from 61% to 90% (for COD) and from 52% to 64% (for PP). Permanent aeration was more advisable compared to intermittent flow rates. Increasing concentrations of PP noticeably reduced the COD removal rates, which were halved at a 4-fold PP concentration. In contrast, the PP removal rate was constant at every concentration experimented. Compared to the COD:N value suggested by literature for aerobic processes (100:5), a shortage in nitrogen availability reduced both COD (by about 20–25%) and PP removal rates (by 25%), the latter only when COD:N was higher 400:5. The pH was less influenced by the variations in aeration rates, PP concentration and COD:N ratio compared to COD and PP removal. This investigation provides indications about the most suitable operation parameters (airflow rates, inhibiting PP concentration, and optimal COD:N) in aerated lagooning of OMW towards environmentally sound treatments of highly polluting wastewater.

Enzymatic oxidation of oleuropein and 3-hydroxytyrosol by laccase, peroxidase, and tyrosinase.

The oxidation of oleuropein and 3-hydroxytyrosol by oxidases laccase, tyrosinase, and peroxidase has been studied. The use of a spectrophotometric method and another spectrophotometric chronometric method has made it possible to determine the kinetic parameters Vmax and KM for each enzyme. The highest binding affinity was shown by laccase. The antioxidant capacities of these two molecules have been characterized, finding a very similar primary antioxidant capacity between them. Docking studies revealed the optimal binding position, which was the same for the two molecules and was a catalytically active position. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: One of the biggest environmental problems in the food industry comes from olive oil mill wastewater with a quantity of approximately 30 million tons per year worldwide. In addition, olive pomace, the solid residue obtained from the olive oil production, is rich in hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein and the action of enzymatic oxidases can give rise to products in their reactions that can lead to polymerization. This polymerization can have beneficial effects because it can increase the antioxidant capacity with potential application on new functional foods or as feed ingredients. Tyrosinase, peroxidase, and laccase are the enzymes degrading these important polyphenols. The application of a spectrophotometric method for laccase and a chronometric method, for tyrosinase and peroxidase, allowed us to obtain the kinetic information of their reactions on hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein. The kinetic information obtained could advance in the understanding of the mechanism of these important industrial enzymes.

Potential of Olive Oil Mill Wastewater as a Source of Polyphenols for the Treatment of Skin Disorders: A Review.

Current trends toward naturally occurring compounds of therapeutic interest have contributed to an increasing number of studies on olive oil phenolics in the treatment of diseases with oxidative and inflammatory origins. Recent focus has been on olive oil wastewater, which is richer in phenolic compounds than olive oil itself. In this review, we present findings demonstrating the potential use of olive mill wastewater in dermatology. Particular attention is given to compounds with proven benefits in topical pharmacology: caffeic and ferulic acids, tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol, verbascoside, and oleuropein. The review is divided into different sections: inflammatory skin diseases, microbial effects, wound healing in addition to the antimelanoma properties of olive mill waste phenolics, and their potential in sun protection agents. There is strong evidence to support further studies into the valorization of this abundant and sustainable source of phenolic compounds for use in dermatology and dermo-cosmetic preparations.

Optimisation of COD removal from the olive oil mill wastewater by combined electrocoagulation and peroxone process: modelling and determination of kinetic coefficients

ABSTRACT The olive oil extraction industry is one of the most extensive industries, especially in the Mediterranean region. The wastewater produced in this industry contains high concentrations of organic pollutants, resistant and toxic compounds that, if not treated, can threaten the health of the environment. In the present study, the optimisation of the combined process of electrocoagulation and peroxone using central composite design of the response surface methodology with the help of Design-Expert V.11 The parameters of current density (0.06–0.73 A dm−2) and reaction time (5–45 min) in the process of electrocoagulation and the parameters of hydrogen peroxide concentration (4–12 ml) and reaction time (10–90 minutes) in the peroxone process were investigated on the COD removal efficiency. The design results showed that the quadratic model was significant for both processes and was determined as the selected model. The optimal conditions determined by the software in the process of electrocoagulation were 0.5 A dm−2 and 34 minutes and in the peroxone process, concentration of hydrogen peroxide and the time were obtained 12 ml and 62 minutes, respectively. In these conditions, the COD removal efficiency of the processes was determined 79.8% and 52.8%, respectively. Under optimal conditions, in peroxone process ozone consumption was reduced to 0.88 mg per mg of removed COD. Also, according to the results of Pseudo-first-order kinetics, constant rate increases with increasing of hydrogen peroxide concentration. The results obtained in this study were confirmed the application of electrocoagulation process along with advanced oxidation of proxone for effective treatment of effluents of this industry and similar industries.

Life cycle assessment, C footprint and carbon balance of virgin olive oils production from traditional and intensive olive groves in southern Spain

Olive oil production shapes the socio-economic and environmental life of many areas of the Mediterranean basin, especially southern Spain, the highest olive oil-producing region worldwide. Olive grove cultivation is tending to intensify from traditional low-density to intensive and high-density cropping systems, which might result in higher environmental impacts. The aim of this study is to estimate the environmental impacts, carbon (C) footprint and carbon balance of producing virgin origin olive oil in Spain from four traditional rainfed, four irrigated, and three intensive olive farms, including the processing phase. Environmental impacts of producing 1 kg of unpacked virgin olive oil at the farm and industrial phases were quantified with the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tool and a "cradle-to-gate” approach using data from surveys at these farms and 12 olive oil mills. On average, the farming phase accounted for 76.3% of the EIs. Therefore, to reduce the impact of the virgin olive oils production, most of the efforts should be made especially in the farming phase. Despite the high variability between seasons and between independent replicates of the same farming system, intensive farming had significant higher impacts on most environmental impact categories than traditional rainfed farming, mainly due to the application of nitrogen fertilizer, plant protection products and herbicides. In terms of climate change, the environmental impact of the functional unit is in the ranges of 1.80–2.41, 1.59–2.78 and 2.28–3.26 kg of CO2 eq. for traditional rainfed, irrigated and intensive, respectively. C footprint was negative and averaged −5.5, −4.3 and −2.7 kg CO2 eq. Olive groves are efficient atmospheric CO2 sinks mainly by fixing CO2 into permanent and non-permanent trees structures. The lower intensification of the traditional rainfed groves contributed more in mitigating the increase of atmospheric CO2. Finally, the C footprint and C balance are negative, especially in traditional irrigated and intensive farming. The application of organic sources of fertilizer and the implementation of temporary spontaneous cover crops, both technically and economically feasible, are sound strategies to achieve a positive carbon balance and reduce the impacts of olive cultivation.

One Step Bioremediation of Olive-Oil-Mill Waste by Organoinorganic Catalyst for Humics-Rich Soil Conditioner Production

A new, simple, and rapid one-step integrated method for the biotechnology treatment of raw olive oil mill waste (OMW) is discussed. The innovations introduced involve primarily the application of microaerobic composting processes for OMW bioremediation plus the addition of both a zeolite and a tailor-made biocatalyst extremely rich in soil microorganisms. The latter operates at a wide pH range and provides, apart from soil microorganisms, nutrients to the compost, enhancement to the bio-oxidative phase and acceleration of biochemical reactions during bioremediation. The basic parameters affecting the bioprocess, i.e., electrical conductivity, pH, C/N ratio, specific weight, ash, organic matter, total organic carbon, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, microorganisms, humic substances, and total polyphenols, were monitored systematically to provide insight into the process and evaluate the product obtained. After a biotreatment of just 60 d, a significant reduction in polyphenols (91.4%) and an increased humic substances content (8%)—both serving as maturation indices—were observed. The OMW compost received is stable, free of toxic compounds and pathogens, affords a richness in cenose and a high humic substances content, both vital for soil fertility. Applications of the OMW product received, both in laboratory-scale and field cultivations, confirm its suitability as a first-class soil conditioner for organic farming.

Bioactive Compounds in Waste By-Products from Olive Oil Production: Applications and Structural Characterization by Mass Spectrometry Techniques.

In recent years, a remarkable increase in olive oil consumption has occurred worldwide, favoured by its organoleptic properties and the growing awareness of its health benefits. Currently, olive oil production represents an important economic income for Mediterranean countries, where roughly 98% of the world production is located. Both the cultivation of olive trees and the production of industrial and table olive oil generate huge amounts of solid wastes and dark liquid effluents, including olive leaves and pomace and olive oil mill wastewaters. Besides representing an economic problem for producers, these by-products also pose serious environmental concerns, thus their partial reuse, like that of all agronomical production residues, represents a goal to pursue. This aspect is particularly important since the cited by-products are rich in bioactive compounds, which, once extracted, may represent ingredients with remarkable added value for food, cosmetic and nutraceutical industries. Indeed, they contain considerable amounts of valuable organic acids, carbohydrates, proteins, fibers, and above all, phenolic compounds, that are variably distributed among the different wastes, depending on the employed production process of olive oils and table olives and agronomical practices. Yet, extraction and recovery of bioactive components from selected by-products constitute a critical issue for their rational valorization and detailed identification and quantification are mandatory. The most used analytical methods adopted to identify and quantify bioactive compounds in olive oil by-products are based on the coupling between gas- (GC) or liquid chromatography (LC) and mass spectrometry (MS), with MS being the most useful and successful detection tool for providing structural information. Without derivatization, LC-MS with electrospray (ESI) or atmospheric pressure chemical (APCI) ionization sources has become one of the most relevant and versatile instrumental platforms for identifying phenolic bioactive compounds. In this review, the major LC-MS accomplishments reported in the literature over the last two decades to investigate olive oil processing by-products, specifically olive leaves and pomace and olive oil mill wastewaters, are described, focusing on phenolics and related compounds.