This project aims to research and develop an innovative and sustainable system for producing natural sweeteners from lichenized microalgae. In particular, it focuses on obtaining polyols, such as xylitol, which have the potential to replace sugars and artificial sweeteners in baked goods and bread products.
The project addresses the challenge of creating healthier and more sustainable alternatives in the food industry through the use of biotechnological processes based on the cultivation and processing of microalgae.
Project Objectives
The main objectives of the project are:
• To develop and optimize microalgae cultivation for the production of polyol-rich biomass.
• To characterize the profile of the compounds obtained using advanced analytical techniques.
• Optimize the processes for extracting, preserving, and treating the biomass.
• Evaluate the viability of the compounds as sweeteners in food matrices.
• Validate the safety and functionality of the extracts through experimental testing.
Results Obtained
During the course of the project, Bionos Biotech contributed to the following results:
• Development and optimization of in vitro assays to evaluate the cytotoxicity, cell proliferation, and oxidative stress of microalgal extracts.
• Preliminary validation of analytical methodologies for the characterization of polyols and other metabolites of interest. • Generation of experimental results that enable the evaluation of the safety and functional potential of the extracts obtained.
• Progress in defining optimal conditions for future validation phases in food products.
Funding
This project has been funded by the European Union under the 2023 call for proposals of the Valencian Agency for Innovation (AVI), currently IVACE+i Innovation. Funded by the Valencian Community Program – European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for a total of
€190,939.65.
File: INNEST/2023/217