Destination and reuse of by products from olive oil extraction

Abstract

The waste obtained from olive oil extraction process are by products generated in different ways and composition, according to the used extraction equipment, the olive variety and the fruit maturity. In the olives pressing traditional process, using continuous three-phase process, the waste produced comprise the liquid portion (vegetation water) + solid portion (solid waste). The olive solid portion to suffer new extraction produces the oil residue, while the aqueous residue is usually discarded without control, causing various environmental problems. When using a two-phase system for oil production, the problem is eliminated, resulting in a new waste, known as ‘alperujo’ and water vegetation. The industries of olive extraction are trying to invest in alternatives that enable the use of their waste as fertilizer, herbicide, animal feed and residual oil. Therefore, studies in this area are needed in order to generate new alternatives for the reuse of extractive industry waste, contributing to the sustainability and reducing environmental impact.