BIOSEA project

¨Innovative cost-effective technology for maximizing aquatic biomass-based molecules for food, feed and cosmetic applications¨

OBJECTIVES

The overall objective of BIOSEA is the development and validation of innovative, competitive and cost-effective upstream and downstream processes for the cultivation of 3 microalgae (Spirulina platensis, Isochrysis galbana and Nannochloropsis sp.), and 2 macroalgae (Ulva ohnoi and Saccharina latissima) to produce and extract at least 6 high value active principles at low cost (up to 55% less than with current processes) to be used in food, feed and cosmetic/personal care as high-added value products.

The innovation will be on applying them on algae or in combination with other techniques for recovery of multiple compounds from the same feedstock, which will require technological adjustment & optimizations.

BIOSEA process will be effective and environmental friendly and the compounds will be obtained at low cost and will be used in food, feed and cosmetic/personal care markets. By this way, the industrialization of the process could be addressed once the project ends.

DEVELOPMENT

TIMETABLE

Total project duration: 36 months. 1^st of June 2017- 31^st of May 2020

WP1 CULTIVATION OF ALGAE

Ulva ohoi

Upscaling to 75L cylinders completed, production phase in development, with weekly harvests.
Field trials inoculated on AlgaeRope at selected site

Saccharina sp

Cultivation in open sea on patented textile substrated, minifarm developed in Asturias.

Spirulina platensis, Isochrysis galbana and Nannochloropsis sp.

Pilot scale cultivation in PBR and MUTL.

Biomass production focused on Spirulina platensis and Nannochloropsis sp.

WP2 EXTRACTION AND PURIFICATION OF ACTIVE PRINCIPLES

Complete algal biomass composition developed.
Impact of preservation approaches analyzed, completed.
Cascading biorefinery approach on microalgae and seaweeds defined.

WP3 EVALUATION OF ACTIVE PRINCIPLES AND FORMULATION

Food, feed and cosmetic application validation process started on extracts obtained from WP2.

Extracts are subjected to characterization tests for the mentioned applications, and initial formulation tests were developed.

WP4 VALIDATION OF FINAL APPLICATION PRODUCTS

Working schemes developed based on the results obtained in WP3 and food and feed formulation matrices proposed.

WP5 LCA AND IMPACT ASSESSMENT

LCA and SLCA are under development for the definition of the environmental and social impact of the BIOSEA process.

WP6 DISSEMINATION & EXPLOITATION

Dissemination of the project objectives in events, magazines, fairs.

More details on the BIOSEA newsletter

For more information on news and events where the project results are presented consult the calendar and news section.

WP7 PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Project Management Handbook as guidance for a good communication and project execution flow.

PARTNERS

For achieving the objectives, BIOSEA consortium consists of specialists in specific area/s or discipline/s involved in the project (IGV and CTAQUA in Biological Sciences and Biotechnology; VITO and FEYECON in Chemical Science and Engineering; CNTA, BIOPOLIS, DIBAQ, SORIA NATURAL and CPCFEED in Food/Feed Technology; VLCI and HENKEL in Cosmetic Science; AITEX in Materials Science and TABU in Environmental Science).