Nowadays, there is a growing global demand of olive oil thanks to the last studies about the benefits of Mediterranean Diet and the global trend toward the adoption of healthier sources of fat.
Olive oil competition is higher than ever. Not only due to the different seed oils such as sunflower, rapeseed or soybean, but also for the new fancy oils as avocado, sesame or coconut. Best way to increase market share is to focus on olive oil singularities, mainly organoleptic characteristics (hedonic pleasures) and the healthy effect of its minor components.
These effects have been well demonstrated, as PREDIMED trial as the most complete example, even with an EFSA health claim about polyphenols. However, less than 0,1% of the market available can or are using that claim because does not reach the minimum amount requested or are no able to guarantee that amount during the product shelf-life. Only a minimal number of premium oils are using that claim, it is a very niche oil with prices 200-300% the price of regular extra virgin olive oil, mainly due to the high cost of production.
This is the perfect breeding ground for introducing new technological developments as our Project aims.
