Total Value Chain Optimization of seaweeds Furcellaria lumbricalis, A bioeconomical ALGAE demonstration
TACO Algae will take a circular economy approach to evaluate two different red algae species in existing SMEs. The first one is currently harvested wild, while the other is cultured in a sustainable new cultivation system. The circular economy approach focuses on supply chain optimisation and minimising waste. Optimisations are performed with respect to extraction, characterisation and utilisation of red pigment, protein, lipids, carrageenan and bioactive compounds. The goal is to utilise all constituents and, most importantly, to find an optimal processing approach to yield the highest amount of the most valuable product and then valorise the remaining components in the best way. As the pigments are currently viewed as the highest value component, we will first extract pigment with the highest stability and investigate methods to obtain a colourant that can be utilised in aqueous and lipid-based food products. The pigment quality, stability and suitability for integration in various product matrixes will be investigated. The lipid fraction will be characterised with respect to fatty acids composition to evaluate valorisation. At the same time, carrageenan has already been marketed as a texturiser, and algae have also been used as biostimulants. Finally, bioactive compounds, e.g. polyphenols, will be investigated with respect to composition and antioxidative capacity. Life cycle assessment will be used to evaluate the most economically, societal and environmentally sustainable process, both with respect to the order of isolation, the volume of biomass to different markets, seasonal possibilities for biomass valorisation, as well as the effect on societal infrastructure and the impact on the environment. The overall goal is to reduce waste, increase local competence-based workplaces and ensure sustainable utilisation of biological resources.
PROJECT FUNDED BY:
ERA-NET BlueBio Cofund
Grant agreement no. 817992
PROJECT DURATION:
From 1st of September 2021 until 31st of August 2024
PROJECT BUDGET:
RTU: 199 000.00 EUR
Total: 1 311 000.00 EUR
SCIENTIFIC LEADER OF THE PROJECT:
Francesco Romganoli
PUBLISHED:
03.10.2021.
PROJECT PARTNERS:
Nofima AS, Norway
Vetik OÜ, Estonia
Aarhus University, Denmark
Univsersity of Santiago de compostela, Biogroup, Spain
Riga Technical University, Institute of Energy Systems and Environment, Latvia
Hyndla ltd., Iceland
