Tailoring of secondary metabolism in horticultural residuals and cascade utilization for a resource efficient production of valuable bioactive compounds

The project TaReCa aims at the development of tailored cascade utilization of plant residuals from bell pepper production (Fig. 1), to exploit add-on value by combining the production of vegetables with subsequent extraction of valuable plant secondary metabolites (SM) by stresses applied in production greenhouses. The project will focus on the flavonoid cynaroside, which is of interest for the cosmetic, food and pharmaceutical industries due to its antioxidant, antimicrobial and cancer-preventive properties. Leaves and stems from stress-treated bell pepper plants will be screened for additional induced metabolites, followed by analysis of market potential and entry options/barriers as well as investigations on extractability. This generates the potential for the production of bioactive compounds for multiple market segments. The project drives the development of environmentally-friendly, economic extraction and purification processes which will be coupled to a potential utilization of the remaining plant material in a biorefinery to further increase the value chain. The double or even triple utilization of horticultural production chains for food and tailored compounds will generate novel, affordable and economically relevant products for industrial applications.