POMACE

Cracker enriched with antioxidant compounds extracted from tomato processing by-products.

 

Description

The POMACE project aims to enhance tomato varieties by using specific products during the seed treatment stage, which will increase the levels of antioxidants of interest in both the plant and the tomato itself. The project also seeks to extract nutraceutical substances from tomato processing waste and develop prototype functional foods using these extracted and purified substances.

Result to be enhanced

The project embodies research efforts in the bioeconomy (organic cultivation using microbial consortia to increase the antioxidant content in the plant, and consequently in the tomato and its by-products) and in the circular economy by enhancing the value of tomato processing by-products (antioxidant extraction through innovative processes without the use of chemical solvents).

Why is it important?

Food manufacturers aiming to create product lines dedicated to high-end functional nutrition can capture the potential of the quality- and sustainability-conscious market. Additionally, consumers are increasingly managing their own wellness and health more independently. They are becoming more engaged in maintaining their well-being, adopting preventive behaviors, and seeking out products and services that positively impact their daily lives by making them easier. These trends are promising for the growth of the functional food market, as they align with consumer needs for practical, nutritious, and preventive solutions. The functional cracker addresses this demand. Moreover, the additives used are made from substances extracted without the use of chemical solvents, adding value to waste in the context of a circular economy.