UNITED

Within the UNITED project, the partner UNITUS is currently working on the sustainable production of cellulose-based materials. 

The UNITUS team focuses on the production of bacterial cellulose through a fermentation process carried out by Komagataeibacter xylinus using agri-food residues such as orange-peel waste and green pea residues as alternative substrates.

These by-products are valorised through suitable pretreatments to obtain rich extracts that can be used as low-cost culture media. 

In the following stages of the project, the medium formulation will be further optimized combining the food wastes extracts/hydrolysates balancing carbon and nitrogen sources, in order to support microbial growth and enhance fermentation efficiency.

--March 2026--

The mid-term project meeting (Month 12) took place on 26th and 27th February 2026 at the CNR-ISSMC (Istituto di Scienza, Tecnologia e Sostenibilitá per lo sviluppo dei Materiali Ceramici) of Faenza. The meeting represented an important milestone to assess the progress achieved so far and to critically discuss the remaining activities. Each partner presented the work completed within their respective work packages, highlighting key results, encountered challenges, and any necessary adjustments to ensure alignment with the project objectives.

The meeting provided a valuable opportunity to define the next operational steps, clarify pending tasks, and optimize coordination among partners in view of the final phase of the project.

Beyond the technical discussions, the event also fostered team cohesion through informal networking moments, including a shared dinner and a visit to the laboratories of ISSMC, which allowed participants to better understand the research infrastructure supporting the project activities.

31 August 2025 - Over the past six months, we have begun transforming agri-food by-products—such as banana peels, broccoli stems, orange peels and pulp, and non-compliant peas—into sustainable materials and ingredients.

👩‍🔬 Key Results So Far:

💡  Bio-aerogels from fruit and vegetable waste: Lightweight and highly porous materials with strong potential for active packaging and other circular economy applications.

💡  Bacterial cellulose aerogels derived from citrus by-products: Produced from pulp and peel residues generated during juice processing.

💡  Mineralized powder enriched with hydroxyapatite from non-compliant peas: Promising filters with potential for use in sunscreens.

💡  Extracts rich in pigments and bioactive compounds: Suitable for use in food and beverages, to enhance product nutritional profile and preservation.

💡Preliminary evaluation of feasibility of the proposed processes, with focus on consumer acceptance of new food flours derived from pea waste.

We have successfully achieved a key project goal with the development of porous, colourless, and tasteless powders derived from overmature strawberries.

These innovative powders are designed to be incorporated into chocolate spreads, where they help improve texture and functionality while enabling reduced saturated fat formulations, without altering flavour or appearance.

This result demonstrates how fruit by-products that would otherwise be wasted can be transformed into high-value, functional ingredients for healthier and more sustainable food products.

The achievement marks an important step forward in combining food waste valorisation, product innovation, and nutritional improvement.

Don't believe it? Have a look at this paper: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2025.116683 

The UNITED project has officially started! The kick-off meeting of the project took place in hybrid mode on Friday 21st March, bringing together three leading research units to develop innovative and feasible intergated solutions for the valorization of fruit pomace and pea residues.

During the meeting, the official logo was also presented and approved by the project partners.