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A product is characterized by low environmental impact if, during the whole process (from extraction of raw materials from solid natural matter to disposal), its negative contribution to environment modification is significantly reduced or eliminated. According to circular economy, it is important to take into consideration other aspects, such as the possibility to improve the efficiency of extraction process by modifying the principle on which it is based and allowing the recovery of not completely exhausted waste, obtaining other active ingredients, and favoring the recycling of normally eliminated materials. The purpose of this work was to propose more efficient and greener alternatives to conventional solid–liquid extraction processes. Major features are the rapidity of the process, extraction at room temperature and high yields. Rapid Solid–Liquid Dynamic Extraction (RSLDE) represents an innovative solid–liquid extraction technology that allows the solid matrices containing extractable substances in an organic or inorganic solvent and their mixtures to be exhausted in shorter time than current techniques. The principle at the basis of this novel process consists of the generation of a negative pressure gradient between the inside and the outside of the solid matrix, which induces the extraction of compounds not chemically linked to the solid matter, being insoluble in the extractant liquid. Therefore, this work focuses on how RSLDE can potentially bring several improvements in the field of solid–liquid extraction, especially for industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the perspective of biosustainable development and renewable resource technologies, by‐products and waste from agro‐industrial sector represent a relatively cheap source of material suitable for several aims, which would reduce both the amount of waste and the related costs of disposal, while producing added‐value nutritional products. The processing waste of oranges find various fields of application, in fact in addition to their use in agriculture as a fertilizer, orange peels can be used to produce candied fruit. Moreover, in a very recent application with the aim to recover these industrial residues, a chemical process that allows the processing of orange peel waste has been developed. This process is useful for obtaining a purified cellulose suitable for spinning, thus creating a truly innovative and sustainable fabric (Orange Fiber). In this work, the orange peels from industrial processing waste are subjected to a first hydroalcoholic extraction which allowed to obtain an extract rich in essential oils that can be used in the food sector to produce liqueurs and/or aromas, but also in the cosmetic or pharmacological sectors. Subsequently, the peels after hydroalcoholic extraction are dried and this residue represents a valuable product rich in dietetic fiber useful in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical fields. Moreover, the same product can be used as fertilizer in agriculture. In light of this, citrus fruit processing waste can be considered as a sustainable and renewable energy source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is no waste in nature. Everything that is produced has a purpose and everything that becomes waste can be transformed into a new resource, triggering a virtuous circuit that feeds itself. The circular economy of waste means a system in which the production‐consumption‐disposal process is overcome to replace it with a circular model, where the final waste product is re‐introduced into the circulation as a secondary raw material. The logic to follow is that after consumption and before any disposal, it is necessary to activate virtuous processes such as reduce, reuse, and recycling. This work focuses on the possible uses of a vegetable waste matrix, such as olive leaves. The olive tree (Olea europaea) is a fruit tree, cultivated for more than 3500 years for its fruits and edible oil. However, just like oil, olive leaf contains a high amount of polyphenols, in particular oleuropein, one of the most powerful natural antioxidants known and hydroxytyrosol, which also has powerful antiseptic properties. Therefore, olive leaf extracts, thanks to the presence of oleuropein associated with hydroxytyrosol, represent a powerful natural antioxidant, a valid ally of the cardiovascular system. In addition, olive leaves are an excellent regulator of the digestive system: they regulate intestinal transit and above all eliminate fungi and other unwanted parasites from the body. Starting from these premises, in this work, a green extraction technique such as rapid solid liquid dynamic extraction (RSLDE) is compared with conventional maceration to obtain an olive leaf extract rich in antioxidants to be used in various sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]