OG AGRI-RESVAL: Revalorization Processes of Vertical Agriculture Waste for the Production of High-Value Natural Extracts and Their Application in the Fishing Food Industry 

The AGRI-RESVAL project proposes the use of agricultural residues as a source of new natural antioxidant (AO) compounds, intended to act as inhibitors of lipid oxidation in seafood products, to preserve their food quality, organoleptic properties, and extend their shelf life—addressing the challenge of implementing circular economy principles in the agri-food sector. 

A vertical indoor farming system will be used to achieve high vegetable yields, optimized through thorough monitoring of cultivation conditions, aiming to increase the antioxidant profile. This natural AO production model aligns with the overarching goals of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), representing a significant qualitative leap in modernizing agricultural systems and facilitating access to innovation, digitalization, and traceability. Additionally, production will occur without using fertile soil, reducing water and fertilizer consumption, and employing renewable energy sources along with carbon capture technologies that will enhance plant quality and crop yields. 

For the first time, an innovative system will be established for the valorization of agro-food sector residues and for improving the preservation of seafood products, increasing the competitiveness of these two key sectors. The expected results will promote the application of innovative and environmentally friendly technologies, generate high added-value products from waste (discarded materials and residues) through the production of natural AOs, reduce the side effects of synthetic antioxidants, and increase the competitiveness and food quality of key products for healthy and sustainable nutrition. 

Project objectives: 

General objective: Obtain and apply natural extracts rich in antioxidants from agricultural discards and residues to increase the shelf life and quality of frozen seafood and shellfish products from Galicia, which undergo lipid oxidation during storage. 

Specific objectives: 

• Valorize agricultural discards and residues through the design of an innovative, sustainable natural extraction process that preserves antioxidant compounds present in different parts of plants constituting the agricultural residues. 

• Select natural extracts from different plant parts with the highest antioxidant activity to maximally inhibit lipid oxidation in seafood and shellfish products without altering their organoleptic properties. 

• Validate the antioxidant efficacy of the natural extracts obtained — AGRI-RESVAL formulations — compared to synthetic extracts, without altering the organoleptic properties of frozen seafood products; initially at laboratory scale, and subsequently at industrial scale. Disseminate results to the sector for transfer and replicability in various agri-food products. 

Expected results: 

• Development of a natural, sustainable, and simple extraction protocol that is easily transferable to the agri-food sector, allowing valorization of various agricultural discards and residues as raw material for natural antioxidants. 

• Production of a range of natural extracts applicable to agri-food products that extend shelf life without modifying organoleptic properties. 

• Validation of the antioxidant efficacy of the obtained natural extracts (AGRI-RESVAL formulations) versus synthetic extracts, implementing a range of innovative and highly antioxidant natural extracts in the Galician agri-food sector that valorize agricultural waste and enhance the profitability of foods rich in lipid compounds, such as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), including omega-3 fatty acids. 

• Transfer of developed solutions to promote their application and replicability in other agri-food products, fostering sustainability and profitability in the sector. 

Consult the project information brochure in: Spanish / English 

Check the project activities in: Spanish / English 

This project is funded by grants for innovative projects from Operational Groups of the European Innovation Partnership (EIP), co-financed by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) under the Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan (CAP-SP) 2023-2027. The Galician Ministry of Rural Affairs (Consellería do Medio Rural) is the regional administration responsible for proposing and executing general guidelines in the rural sphere, including competencies in agriculture, livestock, rural development and planning, rural structures, agri-food and forestry industries, forests, and prevention and defense against forest fires.
Budget: €140,000. 

The project team includes Néboda Farms S.L., the Universidade de Vigo (AgroBioTech for Health group), the Fundación Empresa-Universidad GallegaFEUGA), and, as a subcontracted entity, Grupo Nueva Pescanova.