PRECAP · Encapsulation of bioactive compounds from cherry waste with acetate-producing bacteria for the increase of intestinal butyrogenic bacteria

This PRECAP project aims to revalorize cherry waste (Prunus avium L.) from agricultural industry by bringing a new approach to the European circular economy. PRECAP by encapsulating prebiotic bioactive compounds extracted from cherry waste (dietary fiber and proanthocyanidins) and acetate producing bacteria (Bifidobacterium or Lactobacillus, that consume these biocompounds), seek to restore the health concentrations of butyrogenic bacteria in the intestinal microbiome, which consume acetate by cross-feeding to produce butyrate. The project stands out for its innovation in the development of functional capsules to prevent or mitigate inflammatory bowel diseases derived from the reduction of butyrate produced by the intestinal microbiome.Furthermore, this is enhanced by the healthy nutraceutical effect of phenolic compounds and dietary fiber extracted from cherry waste. The design of this functional capsule of potential probiotic bacteria that produce acetate together with prebiotics from cherry waste, added to the application of a scalable encapsulation methodology (spray-dryer), could be the basis for the development of functional foods from agro-industrial waste. Acetate-producing bacteria are more aerotolerant than butyrogenic (strictly anaerobic) bacteria, which would allow more feasible scalability and management projection in the food industry. Finally, PRECAP is expected to improve the competitiveness, sustainability, and circular economy of agri-food chains, and be a viable alternative to improve people's health.