Valorisation of Olive Mill Waste into Cell Wall–derived Elicitors for Sustainable Crop Resilience
Giulia Caminada (Italy)1; Elisabetta Lazzari (Italy)1; Daniele Coculo (Italy)1; Alba Ester Illera Gigante (Spain)2; Maria Teresa Sanz (Spain)2; Sagrario Beltrán (Spain)2; Savino agresti (Italy)3; Vincenzo Lionetti (Italy)1;
1 - Department of Biology and Biotechnologies Charles Darwin, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy; 2 - Department of Biotechnology and Food Science (Chemical Engineering Division), University of Burgos, Plaza Misael Bañuelos s/n, 09001 Burgos, Spain; 3 - Agrolio s.r.l., S.P. 231 KM 55+120, 70031, Andria, Puglia, Italy;
Keywords: Olive pomace valorization; Circular waste upcycling; Plant immunity elicitors;
Abstract Topics: Theme 12: Cell Walls in Crop Quality, Biomass Utilisation and Sustainability
Type of Presentation: Poster

Abstract text: Olive mill waste is produced in substantial quantities during oil extraction, and its uncontrolled dispersion can disrupt ecosystems due to its complex and highly reactive organic composition. Nevertheless, these byproducts represent an underexploited biomass rich in bioactive compounds with potential elicitor activity1–3. Within the Horizon Europe OLinWASTE initiative4, sustainable extraction and separation processes were developed to recover biocompounds from OMW, supporting circular and low-emission agricultural practices.

Oligosaccharide profiling revealed that selected fractions are enriched in pectic and hemicellulosic oligosaccharides. Physiological and molecular analyses demonstrated that these fractions induce key hallmarks of plant innate immunity, including MAPK activation, hydrogen peroxide accumulation, and the expression of defence-related genes. Treatment with these molecules induces immune priming and enhances resistance in Arabidopsis thaliana and tomato plants against Botrytis cinerea and Pseudomonas syringae.

Overall, this study highlights the potential of valorising agro-industrial residues to improve crop performance under environmental constraints, reduce reliance on chemical inputs, and promote sustainable biomass utilisation.

1. Greco, M. et al. Plant Stress 14, 100655 (2024).

2. Greco, M. et al. Plant Physiology and Biochemistry 217, 109213 (2024).

3. Greco, M. et al. Environ. Sci. Technol. (2025)

4. https://www.olinwaste.eu/