Process for the recovery of tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol from oil mill wastewaters and catalytic oxidation method in order to convert tyrosol in hydroxytyrosol

Abstract

A process for preparing Tyrosol and/or Hydroxytyrosol from oil mill wastewaters. includes: a) Microfiltration (MF), Ultrafiltration (UF), Nanofiltration (NF) and Reverse Osmosis (RO) of the OMW; b) Separation of Tyrosol, Hydroxytyrosol and other phenolic compounds from the concentrated RO; c) Oxidation of the obtained Tyrosol to Hydroxytyrosol in the presence of methyl rhenium trioxide and of hydrogen peroxide in a protic solvent.

1 . Polyphenolic fractions or their purified components produced by oil mill wastewater (OMW), produced by a process comprising:
 a) Rough Filtration (RF), Microfiltration (MF), Ultrafiltration (UF), Nanofiltration (NF) and Reverse Osmosis (RO) of the OMW;   b) Chromatographic separation of Tyrosol, Hydroxytyrosol and other phenolic compounds from the concentrated RO;   c) Oxidation of the so obtained Tyrosol to Hydroxytyrosol in the presence of methylrhenium trioxide and of hydrogen peroxide in a protic solvent;   d) Concentration and pulverization of the high molecular weight portion with the recovery of water and compounds with a high added value.   
   
   
       2 . Pharmaceutical, cosmetic, nutraceutical, dietary, dietetic or foraging formulations comprising polyphenolic fractions or their purified components as claimed in  claim 1 , in admixture with excipients that are acceptable for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, nutraceutical, dietary, dietetic or foraging purposes. 
   
   
       3 . Polyphenolic fractions or their purified components as claimed in  claim 1 , formulated for use as anti-oxidant agents, free radical scavengers, varnish additives, adhesives, composites, natural fibers or plastic materials.