Recovery of addEd valUe compoundS from coffee and olive oil wastewatErs – REUSE

The REUSE project focuses on the circular economy approach addressing the recovery of valuable polyphenolic compounds from two wastewaters taken as case studies from the processing of coffee and olive oil. Olive oil and coffee production generate large amounts of wastewater with high Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), causing toxicity to plants and microorganisms, soil acidification, and pollution in rivers if untreated. While these processes are, for these reasons, harmful to the ecosystem and soil health, they contain valuable organic compounds such as polyphenols.
Traditional wastewater treatments, such as aerobic/anaerobic digestion and activated carbon filtration, are often costly, time-intensive, and lack the specificity needed to selectively recover valuable organic compounds. Polyphenols have strong antioxidant properties, can be used in industries like pharmaceuticals, food, and cosmetics, giving agricultural waste new commercial value. Furthermore, filtered water could potentially be recycled for agricultural use, reducing both waste and the environmental impact of water release. To tackle these issues, REUSE aims to develop advanced filtering systems that can selectively capture valuable polyphenolic compounds for reuse, while reducing the environmental impact. This project involves collaboration among three partner institutions with expertise in porphyrins, Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), and selective filtration materials: the Institut de Chimie Moléculaire de l’Université de Bourgogne (France), Embrapa Instrumentation (Brazil), and the University of Rome Tor Vergata (Italy). Together, these teams will leverage their combined knowledge in chemistry, materials science, and engineering to create innovative filtration systems and sensors.
One key approach in REUSE’s methodology is the development of advanced filtration materials, such as zeolite with porphyrin-based coatings and MOFs. Zeolites, low-cost and highly available materials with high adsorption capabilities, will be functionalized with ad hoc porphyrins to selectively capture polyphenols from wastewater due to their ability to target specific molecules. Similarly, porphyrin-based MOFs will be tested as potential novel adsorbents. The presence of porphyrins as binding units also exploits their dual use as sensing elements, foreseeing the possibility of incorporating real-time monitoring technology using colorimetric, fluorometric, or electrochemical sensors that allow continuous assessment of filtration effectiveness and detect when filters need replacement.
The project aligns with the Water4all call’s objectives of resource recovery and pollution reduction, specifically targeting sustainable solutions in wastewater treatment. REUSE’s focus on polyphenol recovery meets the call’s theme of resource valorization while promising significant environmental and economic benefits. Expected project outcomes include high-impact research publications, the development of efficient filtration technologies for industry use, and a sustainable approach to managing agricultural wastewater. By establishing a multidisciplinary and transnational team, REUSE leverages each partner’s expertise in chemistry, materials science, and environmental science to enhance the scalability and applicability of its solutions, particularly in major coffee- and olive oil-producing countries like Brazil and Italy.