Valorization of plant biomass by emerging technologies: olive and moringa leaves

Abstract

The general objective of this Doctoral Thesis is the valorization of olive and moringa leaves through the recovery and purification of bioactive compounds through emerging clean technologies. First, a complete characterization of the raw materials was carried out. The extraction of bioactive compounds was studied using technologies based on the use of green solvents such as pressurized water in a subcritical state. Likewise, conventional and ultrasound extractions were performed. The optimal extracts were purified by adsorption processes using different ion exchange resins, obtaining an extract with a high concentration of oleuropein for olive leaves. Furthermore, the olive leaf extracts were fractionated by membrane processes to separate and purify the phenolic compounds and sugars. Through the proposed processes, different lyophilized extracts with a high concentration of bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity were obtained with multiple applications.