PLPWETEA

Value Added Utilization of Black Tea By-products using Pressurized Low Polarity Water Extraction for the Development of Bioactive Extracts

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Value added utilization of agricultural and food industry by-products for the recovery of bioactive compounds has been widely recognized as an important area of research due to economic and environmental considerations. Main objective of this research project is to develop a sustainable processing methodology using pressurized low polarity water (PLPW) extraction for the recovery of bioactive extracts from black tea by-products focusing on tea polyphenols and tea saponins, bioactive compounds of great commercial significance. Multiple analytical and biological methods will be adapted for the analysis of the extracts to determine their polyphenol and saponin contents and their bioactivity (antioxidant and antibacterial activity). PLPW extraction conditions (temperature, time, sample pretreatment) will be optimized with respect to the bioactivity of the extracts and extract yields. Fractional extraction (at constant temperature and with a temperature gradient of 100-250ËšC) will be carried out to investigate the selective recovery of bioactive components to obtain a spectrum of unique fractions with different compositions and activities. The use of elevated temperatures during PLPW extraction enables the investigation of the dual role of PLPW as a reaction medium and an extraction/fractionation solvent and its potential for the development of novel bioactive products. Mass transfer during PLPW extraction of tea polyphenols and saponins will be investigated to determine the mechanism that controls the extraction rate providing direction for further studies on the scale-up of the extraction process for industrial scale processing. Fractional PLPW extraction of polyphenols and saponins will be carried out at different solvent flow rates to investigate the mass tranfer during PLPW extraction. Two mathematical models will be used to describe PLPW extraction behavior: 1) a thermodynamic model (based on partition coefficient) and 2) the two-site kinetic (desorption) model'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Black tea is associated with beneficial antibacterial, antioxidant and even anticancer activities. Turkish scientists are now developing methods to sustainably extract bioactive ingredients from tea by-products.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

The EU-supported PLPWETEA project scientists are developing novel techniques to improve the recovery of polyphenols and saponins for value-added utilisation of agricultural by-products. The method exploits pressurised low-polarity water (PLPW) extraction. Scientists are simultaneously advancing analytical and biological assays to characterise black tea by-products and their waste in terms of yield and bio-activity. Mathematical models will be used to optimise PLPW extraction process parameters for both increased yield and potential extraction of novel bioactive products.

The team designed and built a fully operational, lab-scale PLPW extractor and developed antioxidant, antibacterial and anticancer assays for characterisation of the black tea samples. In addition, researchers are building artificial neural network (ANN) modelling skills for future application to solubility studies. During the next phase, process parameters will be optimised and scientists will conduct studies on mass transfer during extraction. This will determine the mechanisms controlling the extraction rate that can be used to up-scale the optimised process.

Outcomes of the research have already been presented at numerous international conferences and in peer-reviewed journals, and the http://plpwetea.com/ (project website) has been launched. The lab joined a consortium with a leading Turkish institute in tea research and a leading Turkish tea producer to submit a joint research proposal. This should enable commercial application of research outcomes through up-scaling of the PLPW extraction system.

PLPWETEA plans to deliver a proven and sustainable processing methodology for extracting commercially valuable compounds from black tea by-products and waste. Successful commercialisation will benefit both the black tea industry and consumers by positively impacting our health and the environment.