Background
From 2015 to 2018, CyberColloids participated in the Marine Biotechnology Era-Net funded Seaweed Biorefinery (SeaRefinery) project along with seven other partners from five EU countries. The main aim of the project was to develop an integrated biorefinery process for cultivated brown seaweed (Saccharina latissima, Alaria esculenta) using eco-friendly chemical and enzymatic step-wise extraction and purification steps for the production of high value-added components. These included antioxidants (phlorotannins), hydrocolloids (alginate), and other bioactives (laminarin, fucoidan and protein) which were evaluated in targeted end use markets (nutraceutical & functional food ingredients, cosmetic & medical products and biobased materials). The biorefinery concept was also demonstrated at pilot scale.
Outcomes
Saccharina latissima and Alaria esculenta were successfully cultivated on a range of different growing substrates including ropes, ribbons and nets. New techniques were developed for storage and ensiling of the harvested seaweed. A multi-stream biorefinery concept for the extraction of valuable phlorotannins, laminarin, fucoidan and alginates was proposed and successfully demonstrated at 600 kg scale. New alginate based textiles were developed for industrial use.
An overview of the project and CyberColloids’ role can be found here