Research into finding new uses for olive products,particularly by-products of olive oil production,is of great relevance not only to the economy,but also to the environment,in the towns where olives are grown.A large number of research articles has been published dealing with the chemical composition of olives and olive oil;however,only a few studies have centered on isolating and identifying compounds in the olive leaf.In this article an overview of the present body of knowledge on the chemical composition of the olive leaf will be presented.Also to be discussed is the use of solid residue,namely,the olive leaf and the olive stone.Both of these types of residue result from olive oil and table olive production,and can be used as a renewable energy source,as well as to obtain high added-value compounds.The latter,bioactive compounds are directed towards the cosmetic,pharmaceutical,and natural food supplements markets,all of which are currently highly receptive to products of natural origin.
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