ALISOST

The group has extensive experience in evaluating the impact of emerging/innovative processing technologies (high hydrostatic pressures, electrical pulses, high-voltage electrical discharges, ultrasound, microwaves and extraction in supercritical fluids, among others) in order to obtain new technological processes. These technologies can be used to better preserve nutritional characteristics, in particular, bioactive compounds and their organoleptic properties. In addition, the group also has extensive knowledge in the application of different unconventional technologies (electrotechnologies, supercritical fluids, accelerated solvent extraction, ultrasound, microwaves, etc.) for the recovery of compounds of nutritional interest and that can be used as potential food additives of natural origin and/or nutraceuticals. In this sense, one of the recent lines of publication has been to evaluate the antimicrobial, prebiotic and anti-inflammatory activity of extracts obtained from plants, agri-food by-products, etc., using conventional and innovative techniques, identifying the individual compounds responsible, with a subsequent evaluation of the extracts/compounds in their impact on the intestinal microbiota. The effect of these technologies on bioaccessibility and bioavailability of nutrients and bioactive compounds has also been evaluated. In recent years and thanks to collaboration with other leading national and international groups, the group has also worked on studying different alternative sources of nutrients, particularly focusing on proteins, healthy fats and antioxidants (microalgae, insects, chia, quinoa, fish by-products, etc.) either to be used as such or to develop new healthier food products (e.g. healthier meat products).Due to the group's extensive knowledge of innovative technologies, new processes for the mitigation of processing contaminants are also being developed and optimised, as well as new techniques for dehydration, thawing, extraction, etc. that are more effective and less aggressive for nutrients and bioactive compounds, a subject in which Dr. Berrada and Dr. Barba are experts. Dr. Berrada is a world-renowned expert in risk assessment and analysis of food contaminants through different advanced analysis technologies such as liquid and gas chromatography coupled to multiple detectors, participating in numerous national and international projects related to the subject. Likewise, Dr. Sacristán and Dr. Carbó have experience in the assessment of soil contamination by heavy metals, phytoremediation and use of phytoremediation plant products, taking into account that soil safety is a key issue linked to food and water security, as well as the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This includes the use of non-destructive techniques for the determination of total heavy metal contents, which has risen sharply in recent years. Dr. Sacristán also has extensive research experience in the sustainable management of soils for proper fertilisation as well as in the nutritional management of grains and cereals. They are currently working on the evaluation of different organic amendments (novel or traditional) to improve the quality and fertility of soil through the analysis of biodiversity and its nutritional status, and relate this improvement to the nutritional status of the plant and the quality/value of the product obtained (e.g. vines).