Our coordinator showcased EXCEL4MED’s innovative research on green extraction technologies during one of Greece’s leading chemistry conferences

EXCEL4MED participated in the 5th Athens Conference on Advances in Chemistry (ACAC 2026), hosted on 24-26 June 2026 by the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA).

The event welcomed scientists, industry representatives and technology providers from across the globe to discuss emerging research, exchange ideas and explore future collaborations.

As part of the conference’s poster programme, our coordinator, Assoc. Prof. Vasilis Valdramidis (NKUA), presented the poster “Towards the development and application of green extraction of bioactive compounds from pomegranate and citrus: the concept of EXCEL4MED”, offering attendees an overview of the project’s vision and ongoing research.

The research presented at ACAC 2026 highlighted how green extraction technologies can help make better use of these natural resources while supporting circularity, reducing waste and creating new opportunities for Mediterranean agri-food value chains.

Making the most of what is often left behind

Every year, the processing of pomegranates and citrus fruits generates large quantities of peels, seeds and other by-products that are often underutilised despite being naturally rich in bioactive compounds.

These compounds, including antioxidants and polyphenols, have significant potential for applications in the food sector thanks to their nutritional and functional properties.

One of EXCEL4MED’s research priorities is to develop green extraction methods capable of recovering these valuable compounds efficiently while reducing the environmental impact associated with conventional extraction processes.

By relying on more sustainable technologies and minimising the use of harmful solvents, our project aims to demonstrate how agricultural by-products can become a valuable resource rather than a waste stream.