There\u2019s an old proverb that says, \u201cIf you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.\u201d And this is never truer than when undertaking a project in the bioeconomy, where harnessing the strengths and abilities of others in different corners of our ecosystem is one of the most strategic ways that projects can scale their innovation and solve complex challenges.<\/p>\n
We are privileged to cover many great projects on our pages, and in this issue are proud to shine a light on a particularly fascinating and important one, VALUEMAG, that has developed a new solution based on the use of magnets for microalgae cultivation and harvesting that produces and purifies high-value biomolecules in both a cost effective and sustainable manner. By delivering this solution, the path opens for significantly more efficient microalgae-based bio-refinery systems across a variety of industries.<\/p>\n
VALUEMAG\u00a0 is working within the framework of Bio-Based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI-JU) funding, operating under Horizon2020. The consortium that has been working on this project is truly pan-European, with National Technical University of Athens NTUA (Greece) and Theracell (Greece \/ UK), Universit\u00e0 Vanvitelli and ENEA \u2013 Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (Italy), NomaSico (Cyprus), Institute of Physics, Slovak Academy of Science (Slovakia), Iris \u2013 advanced Engineering (Spain), EXERGY (United Kingdom), Vertech Group (France) and Ecoduna (Austria).
\nAn important solution to the twin environmental problems.<\/p>\n
Filoklis Pileidis of PNO Innovation Filoklis Pileidis of PNO Innovation (pictured left) who have led the dissemination, communication and exploitation of the project, gives us a further introduction to VALUEMAG, \u201cIt\u2019s a privilege to be a part of a project that can offer such an important solution to the twin environmental problems of global warming and pollution plus the global problems of fuel supply. The team here have supported this revolutionary technology with analyses of an economic and environmental consequences, stakeholder analysis and communication and dissemination strategies to help build a microalgae industry network.\u201d<\/p>\n
At the heart of the VALUEMAG ( @Value_Mag ) project is the development of an advanced magnetic method for micro-algae cultivation and to utilise this knowledge to produce micro-algae for food, cosmetic and nutraceutical use at minimum possible cost. Algal cells contain all kinds of useful substances, but are hard to be harvested, and this is where the use of magnets is so important.<\/p>\n
Dr. Angelo Ferraro of the NTUA and a scientific coordinator tells us about their technology: \u201cThe problem with the current industrial process of extracting valuable compound is that about 60% of the remaining biomass will not be useable for anything else. So it is an inefficient process.<\/p>\n
And this is where the VALUEMAG method comes in. We use magnetic nanoparticles and a soft magnetic metal cone to cultivate microalgae. In a second step specifically modified magnetic nanoparticles are essentially for \u2018catching\u2019 compounds (natural colouring molecules, anti-oxidant, proteins etc) we want. Chemicals are required are minimised thanks to the use of supercritical CO2 extraction, making the extracts safe to eat or use in cosmetics.\u201d
\nProject progress.<\/p>\n
Nick Stefanakis of NTUA and also part of the coordination team tells us some more about the progress of the project: \u201cWe launched on 1st April 2017 and are now coming to the end of the project. The research institutional and private partners have addressed many challenges through the development process, among them the construction from a scratch of a cultivation chamber hosting the magnetic photobioreactor and the setting up new systems for microalgae de-watering and water recycling. Now as we come to the end, our pilot magnetic Photo-BioReactor (mPBR) have been tested in Cyprus, ahead of our partner NOMASICO taking the project work onto its next stage and commerciality.<\/p>\n
Through the project development, we\u2019ve also developed tools and methods that can be used in other applications, like for example, a new extraction method named Selective Magnetic Separation (SMS), which, as mentioned, allows to selectively catch organic and inorganic molecules. Both the SMS method and the separator prototype machine designed and constructed in VALUEMAG framework are now part of proposals that aims to remove from waste water highly dangerous pollutants such as heavy metals, or for the extraction of enzymes from vegetal by-products.<\/p>\n
A second VALUEMAG outcome that is now further developed is the antimicrobial effect (biopestiside) of Dunaliella Salina extracts. ENEA team demonstrated an amazing protective action of Dunaliella biomass on vegetables like tomato and zucchini, and two new proposals have been presented to further develop this effect.\u201d
\nValue adds<\/p>\n
The VALUEMAG project has identified several added-value products from microalgae biomass that the process offers, including the opportunity for food production and an extraction of commercially-valuable products such as nutraceuticals and cosmetics. Among them one of the most potent anti-oxidant named Astaxanthin, Omega-3 fatty acid like EPA and other carotenoids such as Lutein. These compounds have both nutraceutical application and cosmetic.<\/p>\n
In addition to cultivating algae with minimum cost, the new integrated production system from VALUEMAG increases efficiency and improves environmental sustainability. The process requires less water and less energy than other technologies and will be able to deliver zero greenhouse gas emissions or even reduce current CO2 atmospheric concentration thanks to photosynthetic metabolism of microalgae. As if this wasn\u2019t enough, the wider proliferation of microalgae-based bio-refineries offers the opportunity of new job creation and investment in rural and marine areas of Europe in need of economic revitalisation.<\/p>\n
The interdisciplinary approach from the 11 partners that make up the VALUEMAG project have delivered an impressive project that makes the large scale, cost effective harnessing of biomass from micro-algae a reality and in turn opens up opportunities for products within aquaculture, food additive industry, bio-fertilisation, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry.<\/p>\n
For more information, contact Professor Evangelo Hristofou (hristoforou@ece.ntua.gr)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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