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POSTER PRESENTATION / POSTER SUNUM

Olive Bioactive Compounds in Circular Feed Systems: In Vitro Evaluation within the OLIWA Project

Begum Yurdakok Dikmen , Talal Hassan Muhammad Adnan Arif , Stefano Bagatella
2
2
2,
1
Lucia Simona Bavaro , Emilia Ivanova , Salome Robbert Prieto , Jesus De la Osada Garcia
4
4
3
5
El Akrem Hayouni , Ayhan Filazi , Maria Teresa Capucchio 2
1
6

1 Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, TÜRKIYE
2 Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, ITALY
3 Institute of Science of Food Production, National Research Council, Turin, ITALY
4 Natac Biotech, Madrid, SPAIN
5 Veterinary School, Universidad de Zaragoza, SPAIN
6 Center of Biotechnology of Borj-Cédria, TUNISIA

*Correspound Author: muhammadadnan.arif@unito.it

The transition towards sustainable and resilient food systems requires innovative approaches that
valorize agricultural by-products while safeguarding animal health. The PRIMA-supported OLIWA project
explores innovative strategies to promote sustainability in animal nutrition through the integration of olive-
derived by-products into circular feed systems. Olive pruning residues and extracts, particularly those rich
in phenolic compounds such as oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol, are introduced into insect-rearing
substrates. Insects, enriched with these bioactive molecules, serve as functional feed ingredients for
poultry and aquaculture species, closing the loop by subsequently using their manure and frass for biogas
production. This approach exemplifies a circular economy model, transforming agricultural waste into
value-added resources while enhancing feed sustainability and energy recovery. The mechanistic
evaluation of olive bioactive compounds are of great importance within this cycle. Prior to in vivo validation
in poultry and fish, in vitro assays will be conducted to assess the safety and functional potential of
oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol and olive extract nanoformulations. Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells, along with
primary intestinal epithelial cells derived from chicken and fish, will be employed to evaluate cytotoxicity,
epithelial barrier function, nutrient transport, immunomodulatory responses and antioxidant stress
responses along with potential synergistic effects of olive bioactives when combined with insect-derived
nutrients. These systems allow for detailed mechanistic insights into host–feed interactions and the
capacity of olive bioactives to improve gut health.Oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, and related phenolic
fractions are of particular interest due to their reported antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory
properties. The outcomes of these in vitro evaluations will serve as a prerequisite for designing rational in
vivo experiments in poultry and aquaculture production systems. By integrating olive by-products into
insect-based feed chains and systematically evaluating their effects in vitro before in vivo application, the
OLIWA project provides a model for sustainable nutrition that enhances animal health, optimizes resource
utilization, and contributes to the principles of circular economy. This approach not only reduces reliance
on conventional feed sources, but also enhances animal gut health and contributes to energy self-
sufficiency through biogas recovery. Ultimately, the OLIWA model aims to demonstrate how agricultural
residues can be transformed into high-value inputs for feed, food security, and environmental
sustainability. This research is supported by the EU-PRIMA program - project OLIWA- Repurposing OLIve
WAste in circular economy solutions for feeds, additives, packaging, and biogas - GA 2432, Call 2024
Section 1 Food Value Chain in Nexus. This work is also supported by COST Action CA22109, Medicinal
plants for animal health care: Translating tradition into modern veterinary medicine, supported by COST
as YRIG.
Keywords: Olive by-products, oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, insect meals, in vitro assays, cell culture.

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