The main research activities of the group are directed towards ERA-NET projects “IMPRESSIVE - Improved Processing to Enhance Seafood Sidestream Valorization and Exploration” (2022-2026) and “CLIMAQUA - Establishing an innovative and transnational feed production approach for reduced climate impact of the aquaculture sector and food supply”(2021-2024).

IMPRESSIVE project

The IMPRESSIVE project aims at improving the extraction of added value compounds such as LC MUFA-, PUFA-rich oils, bioactive peptides and chitosan from underutilized seafood side streams (fishery and crustacean) in terms of yield and quality by using emerging non-thermal technologies as advanced pre-treatments (pulsed electric field, high pressure, ultrasound, etc.) for further applications in the food and nutraceutical industries.

The consortium gathered researchers with multidisciplinary background and expertise from 4 European countries along with manufacturing companies to optimize the recovery of bioactive ingredients. The project will use different eco-friendly chemical and enzymatic processes to separate, extract and purify protein, lipid, and polysaccharide fractions from seafood side streams. The obtained compounds will be characterized and analyzed for bioactivity and bioavailability, health promoting properties (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypocholesterolemic and anti-diabetic activities,etc.), and further tested in food and nutraceutical products as new ingredients aiming to enhance the nutritional profile and quality of the end-products. Consumer studies will be conducted to assess consumer acceptance of the new products.

CLIMAQUA project

The CLIMAQUA project results in an innovative process for converting and recirculating aquaculture side-streams (sludge and wastewater) in algae (Arthrospira platensis)-based feed production for aquacultures. In conventional aquaculture, feed production is responsible for 50% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission. The aim is to substantially reduce GHG emission by considering geographic and site-specific characteristics (temperature, sunshine duration etc.) and to design site-specific phototrophic or heterotrophic A. platensis cultivation for use as a highly digestible feed ingredient. CLIMAQUA builds on knowledge gained regarding aquaculture and feed production, and involves partners from Norway, Germany, Kenya and South Africa in order to broaden the applicability, not limiting the approach to a certain geographic area and assessing climate impact of feed production in different climate zones.

Research activities

Development of innovative technological solutions for smart recovery of added value compounds (omega-3 rich oils, bioactive peptides, etc.) from underutilized seafood side streams by using advanced technologies, and their physicochemical characterization.