EUCYS 2024 bioeconomy winners Jaša Krevh and Julija Skrt © Katarzyna Suchańska - EUCYS
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Jaša Krevh and Julija Skrt, both from Slovenia, have been awarded the EUCYS 2024 bioeconomy prize for their groundbreaking project titled 'Influence of Hydrolytic Enzymes on Antioxidant Efficiency of Olive Leaf Extracts.' This prize includes a visit to Brussels with CBE JU to present their innovative work to European institutions, policymakers, and stakeholders in the circular bio-based sector.
19-year-old Jaša Krevh and 20-year-old Julija Skrt were announced as the winners of the bioeconomy prize at the EUCYS 2024 event, which took place in Katowice (Poland) last weekend. Nicoló Giacomuzzi-Moore, Executive Director of CBE JU, praised the winners for their significant contributions:
‘The EUCYS contest continues to provide a vital platform for young scientists and innovators across Europe to showcase their projects with the potential to drive future advancements. CBE JU is committed to collaborating with the European Commission to support emerging talents like Jaša and Julija in their pursuit of groundbreaking research for the benefit of the circular bio-based sector.’
Enhancing olive leaf extracts
Jaša and Julija have focused their research on optimising the extraction of phenolic compounds from olive leaves, a natural and cost-effective source of antioxidants. Their project aimed to develop a fast, low-cost, and environmentally friendly extraction technique using a mixture of hydrolytic enzymes.
The study explored various extraction methods under different conditions, using water as a solvent and simulating the digestive system in vitro. The researchers found that the enzyme mixture significantly enhanced extraction efficiency. Notably, it reduced the total phenolic content while increasing the antioxidant capacity of the extracts, irrespective of the leaf type, collection time, or age.
The promising results of this research highlight the potential for optimising olive leaf extraction processes, a field advanced by CBE JU-funded projects like OLEAF4VALUE.
CBE JU is committed to collaborating with the European Commission to support emerging talents like Jaša and Julija in their pursuit of groundbreaking research.
CBE JU Executive Director Nicoló Giacomuzzi-Moore
What is EUCYS?
The European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS) is an annual event organised by the European Commission to promote scientific excellence among Europe’s youth. It provides a platform for students to compete with their peers at a European level, showcasing their innovative projects. Since 2016, CBE JU has supported the contest by sponsoring the bioeconomy prize, which rewards projects that use biological raw materials in sustainable, renewable, and innovative ways while fostering scientific research and environmental awareness. The prize includes a visit to the CBE JU Programme Office and EU institutions in Brussels, alongside with meeting important bioeconomy stakeholders.