Scientists from the Institute of Information Technology at the University of Kragujevac, collaborating with numerous wineries in Serbia and studying the quality of wine and grapes, came up with the idea of a project that will bring economic, health and environmental benefits.
The Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia recognized the importance of this initiative aimed at connecting science and the wine industry and supported its funding through the programs PROMIS 2023 and Proof of Concept. The leader of these projects is Dr. Edina Avdović, Senior Research Associate at the Institute of Information Technologies, University of Kragujevac.
These are pharmaceutical and food products made from winemaking waste, namely grape skins.
After analyzing a large number of scientific publications and conducting experimental research, scientists from the Institute of Information Technologies have determined that grape skins from the Šumadija region represent an extremely rich source of bioactive compounds, among which polyphenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins, tannins, esters and numerous other beneficial components stand out. The synergistic effect of all these components provides strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
In agreement with colleagues from the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the University of Kragujevac, they came up with the idea of making innovative and natural hydrogels from grape skin extracts for the treatment of chronic wounds.
In addition, researchers from the University of Kragujevac, in collaboration with a colleague from the Faculty of Physical Chemistry of the University of Belgrade, worked on the development of a completely natural food product, namely a dressing.
This research proves the concept that wine industry waste can be used in a circular economy to develop functional foods and pharmaceuticals.
RTK journalist Nikoleta Andrijević reports.
Научници из Крагујевца открили моћ винског отпада претварајући га у фармацеутске и прехрамбене производе
