The F2G – From the Field to the Gut project, funded within the framework of the bilateral agreements between CNR and CSIC, aims to establish a strategic partnership between ICB-CNR (Italy) and CEBAS-CSIC (Spain) to investigate and valorize bioactive compounds present in foods, particularly pomegranate ellagitannins, by leveraging the complementary expertise of the two institutions. Indeed, the two participating institutions cover the entire research continuum, from the valorization of the raw material and the extraction of bioactive compounds to the study of their bioavailability and health effects.
The ultimate goal of the F2G project is to investigate, through a multidisciplinary and complementary approach, the use of immature pomegranate fruits, which are deliberately removed from the plant through the agronomic practice of thinning and are therefore considered pre-harvest waste, as a sustainable source of ellagitannins to be converted into urolithins. This approach makes it possible to reduce agri-food waste, valorize by-products, and promote the circular economy. In summary, the project aims to transform an agricultural waste product into a high-value-added resource, with potential economic benefits for the fruit and nutraceutical sectors, environmental benefits through waste reduction, and potential positive impacts on public health.
The 1st F2G International Workshop reflects the objectives of the project, aiming to promote scientific exchange and interaction on these topics through the participation of international speakers from the fields of agronomy, analytical chemistry, and biotechnology, as well as experts in the study of the gut microbiota and its implications for human health.
