Integrated process for the eco-sustainable production of high quality extra virgin olive oil and micronized by products

An integrated process for the eco-sustainable production of extra virgin olive oil and solid by-products rich in polyphenols, said process comprising:

• A) a section for defoliation, twig removal and washing of the olives entering the process, comprising a scan of said olives with an optical sensor, which determines the degree of ripeness.
• B) a section of extraction from said olives of extra virgin olive oil (EVO) by mechanical means according to the continuous two-phase method, which in turn includes two production lines in parallel:
• the first one operates on olives with stone by means of ordinary cold extraction, and the second one operating by pressing and machine pitting the olives at the same time, with the production, from said second line, of a residue consisting of a stoned de-oiled olive paste;
• C) a treatment section of said stoned de-oiled olive paste directly connected to the outlet of said second production line, comprising a freeze-drying operation of said stoned de-oiled olive paste, with production of a solid lyophilisate containing polyphenols and of water, which is recirculated to said section A) for defoliation and washing of the olives;
• and
• D) a section for the treatment of olive leaves and apical twigs resulting from said section A) of defoliation and washing of the olives, and possibly other leaves resulting from olive tree pruning, including a drying operation in the drying chamber, with the production of a dried leaf product containing oleuropein and of water, which is recirculated to said section A) for defoliation and washing of the olives.