Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., one of the world’s leading vertically integrated producers, marketers, and distributors of high-quality fresh and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, and University of Granada (UGR), a prestigious Spanish university established in 1531 and a global hub for cutting-edge research, announced an extended partnership that will look into how bioactive compounds from residues of different fruits can be used for medical and non-medical applications in the spirit of promoting health and well-being. The partnership comes after more than a year of initial research that looked into the effectiveness of bioactive compounds from certain fruits within Fresh Del Monte’s portfolio yielded promising results.
“As one of the world’s largest producers of fruits, we see tremendous untapped potential within the produce we grow, including their residues,” said Mohammad Abu-Ghazaleh, Fresh Del Monte’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We are pleased to partner with the University of Granada, true experts in scientific research, and believe that this expanded partnership has the potential to realize breakthroughs in several key areas that we hope will ultimately improve many lives.”
University of Granada research groups led by Professors Juan Antonio Marchal and Vito Verardo have developed a methodology for the extraction of bioactive compounds from fruit residue, based on emerging technologies, for medical and non-medical applications. The research partnership will research highly prevalent diseases, dermo-cosmetics, and nutraceuticals and foods. Global health organizations list cancer, diabetes, obesity, and arterial hypertension as some of the most highly prevalent diseases. Dermo-cosmetics include products that have both dermatological and therapeutic effects and are intended to have a beneficial effect on skin health, and beauty. Nutraceuticals encompass a wide range of health-boosting substances, including vitamins and minerals, herbs, and antioxidants, all sourced from foods or food components.
“This collaboration with Fresh Del Monte is of great importance for biomedical research, as it will allow us to obtain bioactive compounds from residues of different fruits for the treatment of highly prevalent diseases, as well as nutraceuticals to prevent the appearance of these diseases, which we believe can have a great impact on the health of the population,” said University of Granada Professor Juan Antonio Marchal.
“This collaboration with a company like Fresh Del Monte highlights how the concept of circular economy is deeply rooted in the food industry. The enormous interest of Fresh Del Monte in the revalorization of food byproducts is evidence of this sensitivity to the environment and could open new possibilities in the use of food byproducts as new raw material,” added University of Granada Professor Vito Verardo.
SOURCE: Businesswire