Valorising winemaking waste for healthier herds

About the project

NeoGiANT seeks to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in animal production by developing natural, cost-effective, and sustainable antimicrobial and antioxidant solutions derived from white grape marc, a by-product of wine production. The project targets alternative solutions to synthetic antibiotics in the feed, health, and reproduction of cattle, swine, poultry, and aquaculture. The core objective is to reduce antibiotic reliance while promoting eco-friendly practices that ensure animal welfare and environmental sustainability. This innovation aligns with the EU's Farm-to-Fork strategy by enhancing resilience in food systems and contributing to a sustainable circular economy.

Description of success

One of the most significant achievements of the NeoGiANT project has been the successful valorisation of over 9 tonnes of grape marc, an abundant by-product of the winemaking industry into high-value functional ingredients. Through an optimised and patented extraction process, this agro-industrial residue has been transformed into bioactive extracts particularly rich in polyphenols, known for their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

These natural extracts are not just a scientific innovation; they have been effectively applied across three critical areas of animal production. Firstly, they have been incorporated into animal feed formulations, demonstrating potential to improve gut health and boost immunity in various species, including poultry, pigs, cattle, and fish. This supports the development of more resilient livestock while reducing dependency on synthetic additives.

Second, the extracts have been formulated into natural treatments for specific animal diseases , offering an alternative to conventional antibiotics. Prototypes based on these grape-derived compounds have been evaluated in vivo in the context of common pathologies such as bovine mastitis in cows and exudative epidermitis in pigs, highlighting the feasibility of using plant-based actives for veterinary applications.

Finally, the project has explored the use of these polyphenol-rich extracts in the development of antibiotic-free semen extenders for artificial insemination. These new formulations aim to preserve sperm quality in species such as pigs, cattle, poultry, and fish, helping to further reduce the routine use of antibiotics in reproductive technologies.

Highlights

The project has reached several achievements, including:

• Over 9 tonnes of grape marc have been valorised through a sustainable circular economy production process.
• More than 5 000 L of extracts rich in bioactive compounds have been produced at pilot and pre-industrial scales.
• Extracts have been successfully incorporated into feeds, disease treatments, and semen preservation products.
• The project has actively participated in the Food Working Group of the Green Deal
• Strong potential to improve animal welfare by using extracts as antibiotic alternatives, in both cows (injected for bovine mastitis) and pigs (topically applied for exudative epidermitis).

Outputs

The project has developed a circular economy and zero waste procedure, used to obtain extracts rich in bioactive compounds from an agrifood byproduct. NeoGiant has also focused on the use of local raw material as functional ingredient in feed, health and animal reproduction. Lastly, throughout the project's development, 25 Practice Abstracts were prepared to communicate project outputs to end-users.

Impact

NeoGiANT anticipates reducing AMR significantly in animal husbandry, supporting healthier livestock production and safer food systems. The project demonstrates a scalable model for incorporating bioactive, natural antimicrobial agents, decreasing dependence on synthetic antibiotics, and meeting growing consumer demands for antibiotic-free animal products. NeoGiANT also reinforces resource efficiency by converting winemaking byproducts into high-value products, showcasing a sustainable innovation model.

Lessons

Through the development of the NeoGiant project, several important lessons have been gained. Firstly, the project has shown the importance of applying circular economy principles early in the design of biobased innovations.

Secondly, the transformation of grape marc into effective animal health ingredients showed that agri-food residues can deliver both functional and environmental value when paired with robust extraction and formulation strategies.

Thirdly, flexibility in product development, and tailoring extracts to different animal species and applications, are essential to maintaining bioactivity and usability.

Finally, early coordination with stakeholders across animal health, nutrition, and regulatory sectors plays a critical role in ensuring product relevance, acceptance, and future market integration.

Other information

Challenges overcome

The project faced several challenges, the first of which were linked to ensuring the antimicrobial stability of bioactive grape marc extracts across different formulations. By testing and refining solvent combinations and extraction methods, NeoGiANT overcame these challenges, ensuring efficacy in feed and health applications.

Additionally, regulatory alignment and meeting stakeholder expectations required close cooperation across sectors, from legal to technical and market perspectives.

Watch a video of the NeoGIANT project.