Biogas Production from Exhausted Pomace after Polyphenol Recovery

The study was based on the assumption that the vegetation waters and the exhausted pomace have a high content of polyphenol molecules with high value added potential. The polyphenols, however, if left in the exhausted pomace give it bactericidal capacity which prevents extensive use as soil fertilizer as it interferes with soil microbiome. For the same bactericidal activity the exhausted pomace could show difficulty in AD for the production of biogas. For these reasons, at present a common destination for depleted pomace is incineration with consequent loss of organic matter and energy. Both for economic and environmental reasons the study was developed to manage the exhausted pomace in a circular economy perspective.