A very simple method is proposed to produce hydroxytyrosol, a commercially unavailable compound with well-known biological properties which justify a potential commercial application. The 2-phase Chemlali olive pomace is selected as substrate for chemical treatment. Different conditions of chemical treatment, including concentration of acid and alkaline solutions, time and temperature, were assayed. A high amount of hydroxytyrosol (1360 mg/kg of fresh 2-phase olive pomace) was obtained using water bath after treatment at 80 °C for 90 min with 1 M of H(3) PO(4) . However, treatment of 2-phase Chemlali olive pomace using autoclave apparatus could produce a large amount of hydroxytyrosol (1993.60 and 1515.88 mg/kg of fresh alperujo, 1 M acid and basic catalyst, respectively). By taking into consideration practical and economic aspects, acid-catalyzed treatment was more effective using autoclave conditions, whereas the alkali catalyzed conditions were not very suitable. This study could provide useful information for industry to produce the potentially bioactive compound.
Practical application: The 2-phase Chemlali olive pomace is selected as substrate for chemical treatment. Treatment of "alperujo" using water bath or autoclave apparatus was carried out. A high amount of hydroxytyrosol was obtained using autoclave apparatus.
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