OG OLIVEBIOME. Biotechnological development of prebiotics and probiotics for animal feed (poultry and swine) from olive pomace fiber and other horticultural by-products 

OLIVEBIOME is a supra-regional Operational Group whose objective is to promote an innovative initiative aimed at developing sustainable biotechnological solutions for animal feed, mainly in the poultry and swine sectors, using agricultural by-products such as olive pomace fiber (a by-product from olive oil extraction) and other horticultural by-products like green asparagus and artichoke. These by-products, typically considered waste, will be transformed through fermentation processes into functional ingredients (prebiotics and probiotics) that improve animal gut health and the quality of the meat produced. 

The project will not only have a significant environmental and social impact but will also redirect the entire value chain towards sustainable resource management based on a circular economy model, achieving a substantial improvement in citizens’ quality of life through the sustainable consumption of healthier and safer agricultural and livestock products. Thus, the project is directly aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the objectives of the European Green Deal, particularly the “farm to fork” strategy, focused on creating smart and efficient agri-food systems that provide healthy food to the population. 

OLIVEBIOME’s main objective is the biotechnological development of prebiotics and probiotics for animal feed (poultry and swine) from olive pomace fiber and other horticultural by-products. 

In accordance with the project’s established work plans, the following specific objectives have been defined: 

1. Chemically characterize olive fiber and horticultural by-products, evaluating their prebiotic and fermentative capacity with probiotics.
2. Establish a fermentation model to optimize the growth of probiotic strains under laboratory conditions using olive fiber as a substrate.
3. Design and scale up a bioreactor for the semi-industrial production of probiotics from these fibers and selected strains.
4. Evaluate the impact of the designed prebiotics and probiotics on gut health and welfare of farm animals (swine and poultry), and their effect on reducing antibiotic use.
5. Promote sustainable management of olive by-products through the implementation of a circular economy model in the Spanish olive industry.

The results expected from the OLIVEBIOME project are: 

• Complete chemical profiling of olive fiber: analysis of antioxidant capacity, composition in sugars, proteins, amino acids, and prebiotic properties. 

• Development of prebiotic and probiotic products from olive pomace and horticultural by-products, with validation of their fermentative capacity. 

•  Design and scale-up of bioreactors for semi-industrial probiotic production, including stabilization and viability of cultures. 

•  Impact assessment in experimental farms: evaluation of performance in piglets and chicks, as well as changes in their intestinal microbiome following the use of these products in feed. 

•  Validation under heat stress conditions: determining how the prebiotic and probiotic products affect animals subjected to thermal stress, comparing their impact on health and productivity. 

•  Preparation of a sector report on the olive pomace industry to establish production volumes and its potential as a resource for sustainable animal production in Spain. 

Consult the project information brochure in: Spanish / English 

Check the project activities in: Spanish / English 

Operational Groups, key actors in the implementation of AEI-Agri (European Innovation Partnership for agricultural productivity and sustainability), are one of the main tools for executing the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy (PEPAC) 2023–2027 to promote innovation in the agri-food and forestry sector within Europe. They consist of groups of agents with different profiles but common interests, such as farmers, livestock breeders, companies, research centers, or training and outreach organizations, who join forces to carry out an innovation project aimed at providing a joint, multisectoral response to a problem or need. 

This innovation project is framed within the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy (PEPAC) 2023–2027, funded 80% by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (FEADER) of the European Union and 20% by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA). The Directorate General for Rural Development, Innovation and Agri-food Training (DGDRIFA) is the authority responsible for implementing these grants. 

 Total project budget: €550,110.66. Total grant: €550,110.66.