ACTIVEOLIVE PROJECT

Consortium of companies: OLIVAR DE SEGURA, ABELLO LINDE, ESTEROS DE CANELA, MIGUEL GARCÍA SÁNCHEZ E HIJOS and SP GROUP.

In the field of active plastic development, the origin and nature of the antioxidant and antimicrobial ingredients are important, as there is currently an increasing trend towards the use of natural compounds, such as microbiological derivatives, extracts of herbs and spices, and oils.

Using only products derived from the olive tree, the University of Cadiz (UCA) has produced principally two types of compounds: tocopherol and hydroxytyrosol. Many compounds (mixtures) were extracted and purified to develop active films incorporating these compounds.

We then packaged fresh fish and vegetable products and assessed their shelf life. In general, the most successful natural active antioxidant compound, which provided the best preservation, was α-tocopherol, or vitamin E.