Joana Madureira defended her PhD Thesis last June in Pharmacy and Health by the University of Salamanca.
Joana was focused on the development of bioactive products through the recovery of waste generated by the olive oil extraction industry, using radiation technologies to promote the extractability of bioactive compounds. The main goal of the project was to obtain natural phenolic compounds that were used as new ingredients in healthier fresh-cut fruits (e.g. antimicrobial and antioxidant potential) in order to replace the synthetic preservatives, such as ascorbic acid.
The outcomes of this project can contribute for the sustainability of both agro-industrial sector and environment, promoting the awareness of “zero waste” strategy.