Management of Olive Pomace through Composting in Uruguay
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31285/AGRO.30.1715Keywords:
Arbequina, polyphenols, sustainability, byproduct, olive pomaceAbstract
The main waste product of olive mills is alperujo, representing 80% of the total processed volume. Proper waste management is challenging mainly due to its seasonality, semi-solid characteristics, high organic load, and phenolic content. In Uruguay, the high relative humidity and frequent rainfall during the generation period of alperujo make outdoor disposal a significant risk for water source contamination. This study aimed to contribute to the improvement of alperujo management through composting. The Arbequina cultivar was used for the characterization of alperujo and its leachate. The alperujo showed a moisture content between 80-90%, an acidic pH, and a phenolic content ranging from 1391 to 2897 mg/kg. The alperujo was treated to reduce its moisture and thermally processed to enhance composting performance and obtain a phenol-enriched liquid fraction. For the composting process, mixtures with agro-industrial materials were evaluated to increase nitrogen content and improve material structure. The best-performing mixture consisted of 65% alperujo and 35% grape pomace. Finally, a protocol was designed for the industrial valorization of alperujo through composting.
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