CLEAN, COST-EFFECTIVE TECHNOLOGY TO RECOVER AND STABILIZE PHYTOACTIVE FRUIT COMPOUNDS FROM WASTE STREAMS.

This project capitalizes on an energy-efficient, economical and sustainable technology (continuous microwave-assisted extraction; MAE), which is able to extract high concentrations of residual biologically-active health protective compounds from pomaces (the post-juicing fruit waste stream) without the need for any solvent besides water. The valuable active phytochemical components are subsequently stabilized by binding them into a colloidal protein matrix, using a food-grade, non-thermal, streamlined process that takes advantage of the natural affinity of medium polarity phytoactive compounds to (food) proteins. This protein-polyphenol colloidal aggregate matrix (VITERO™), created utilizing our patented process, delivers a nutrient-dense food or supplement ingredient from a valorized food pomace waste stream. This project will work to convert the results from our Phase 1 work and early customer adoption to a commercial-ready technology at a relevant scale.This research application aims to establish technical parameters to develop plant-based ingredients with desirable physical, functional and chemical attributes for broad incorporation into food products. This proposal addresses key questions that verify the technical feasibility of the project and to transition them into a commercial-ready product, namely to:1) Adapt technology to available partner waste streams (apple, blueberry, and concord grape), maximizing flavonoid content;2) Deploy test system to partner site for factory trial;3) Demonstrate the structural functionality in model food products; and4) Demonstrate efficacy of protein-polyphenol colloidal aggregates on measurable biomarkers of efficacy and bioavailability in a randomized cross-over clinical trial.