EXCEL4MED participated in a two-day scientific seminar hosted by the Department of Food Science and Technology at the University of West Attica (Athens, Greece).
On 24 May 2025, Grigorios Chalmoukos, a PhD candidate at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and researcher within the EXCEL4MED consortium, delivered a presentation titled “Utilisation of Oil from Pomegranate Seed and Arctic Bilberry”.
Highlighting bioactive potential in fruit by-products
Chalmoukos introduced the faculty members, researchers and students to EXCEL4MED’s research vision, explaining how the project aims to reduce food waste and increase sustainability in Mediterranean fruit supply chains by valorising by-products, such as peels and seeds, from high-value fruits like pomegranate and citrus.
The presentation focused on the extraction and analysis of oils from pomegranate seeds and Arctic bilberries, highlighting their rich content in natural bioactive compounds.
These substances have promising potential for use in both the food and pharmaceutical sectors, thanks to their antioxidant and functional properties.
A step towards sustainable innovation
Initial findings from Chalmoukos’s doctoral research suggest that both types of fruit seed oils contain valuable compounds that can contribute to the development of functional ingredients.
These could play a key role in enhancing the nutritional profile of new food products, while supporting environmental sustainability by reducing waste.
The seminar concluded with a lively discussion on the role of fruit by-product valorisation in the context of circular economy strategies, a central theme of the EXCEL4MED project.
