Background and aim

Aquaculture meets an increased demand for seafood and is now seen as one of the most promising options for future protein production. But for this to be possible, we need to find solutions to the many challenges in which feed innovation is central. Reducing dependence on fishmeal and fish oil is a high priority for aquaculture in general, especially for example for salmonids that require high protein feed.

The aim of this project was to develop feed for salmonids based on microfungi grown on residual streams from the forest industry. The goal was to speed up the commercialisation, form new collaborations for strengthened international competitiveness for Swedish research and innovation concerning fungi-based fish feed.

Project outcome

Succesful production of meal based on single cell was achieved and feeding trials and showed good results. Life cyle assessment of a feed concept where soy meal is replaced by single cell meal showed environmental advantages. Main results are provided in the one pager below. 

Aim

In this project the use of lipid nanoparticles were investigated for delivery and protection of antimicrobial peptides.

Challenge

Due to decades of exposing pathogenic bacteria to non-lethal doses of antibiotics, they have developed a strong resistance against these drug molecules. There is a great need for new and efficient antibacterial drugs and the need will most likely increase in the future.

Solution

The bacterial killing efficiency of the peptide loaded nanoparticles were investigated using in vitro and ex vivo models, as well as the bacterial killing mechanism. Results showed that the nanostructure of the particles strongly affected their bacterial killing efficiency. Particles with a cubic nanostructure (“cubosomes”) were found to be most effective. They protected a protease sensitive antimicrobial peptide (LL-37) from enzymatic degradation, resulting in a significant improved bacterial killing after enzyme exposure, compared to pure peptide.

Effect

A new drug delivery system were designed for antimicrobial peptides, made of lipid nanoparticles, which protected them from enzymatic degradation, resulting in more efficient killing of pathogenic bacteria.

Syfte och mål

Det långsiktiga målet för FORMAMP-projektet är att förändra behandlingsstrategierna för infektionssjukdomar och minska spridning av multi-resistenta bakterier.  

Utmaning

Antibiotikaresistens

Lösning

De specifika målen med projektet var att utveckla nya och innovativa formuleringsstrategier för lokal administrering, baserade på kombinationen av nanoteknologiska bärarsystem och antimikrobiella peptider, för behandling av infektionssjukdomar orsakade av bakerier såsom Pseudomonas aeruginosa, MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) och MTB (Mycobacterium tuberculosis). De kliniska indikationer som har adresserats är hudinfektioner och infektioner i brännsår samt infektioner i lunga såsom cystisk fibros och tuberkulos. Flera av dessa indikationer involverar bildandet av biofilmer, vilket drastiskt försämrar effekten hos tillgängliga behandlingsalternativ. Ett viktigt mål för projektet var därför att utveckla behandlingsstrategier som också tar hänsyn till den problematik som dessa biofilmer orsaker.  

Effekt

Minska spridningen av resistenta bakterier

Aim and goal

The D-Factory aimed to set a world benchmark for a sustainable biorefinery based on biomass from the halophilic microalgae Dunaliella.

Challenge

Dunaliella is currently cultivated commercially for its high β-carotene content. The resulting product is a powder consisting of spray-dried Dunaliella cells and therefore a mixture which largely consists not only of carotenoids but also proteins, carbohydrates, fats and minerals. While the bio-refinery concept to be implemented within this project will go beyond the production of these crude products, it will also result in a number of extracts and extract-rich fractions with different specifications in terms of both compounds and purity. Thus, the challenge of the formulators assessing and evaluating the best possible uses of these extracts, will be not only to test and benchmark the properties of the actual individual components present in Dunaliella but also those of different extract-rich fractions produced as a result of economically viable separation processes.

Solution

Formulation know-how for specific high-value added products applications as well as a good understanding of current possibilities, challenges and limitations of the most important Dunaliella compounds and their properties was the basis for a successful outcome.

Effect

After processing biomass using supercritical CO2 and solvents for 9-cis b-carotene, the natural colorants produced as a by-product are well-suited for food markets that are growing to meet demand from the Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS) demographic and other food sectors, and extracts have been formulated in a variety of ways for use in different beverage-type applications. The defatted powder after processing also shows great promise in tests as a feed additive and also as a protein-rich bulking agent in fish sausages, and the individual starch, polar lipids and protein fractions have been processed as food additives, emulsifiers, and in gluten-free protein-enriched bread.

Aim and goal

The goals of the printed biosensor projects are the design, development and evaluation of printed biosensors for the fast reliable and cost-effective at-line monitoring of bioprocesses, both up- and downstream.

In the first project the ESR will develop electrochemical biosensors for the at-line monitoring of key components (e.g. lactate) of cultivation media.

In the second project the ESR will focus on down-stream detection of the products (e.g. antibodies).

Challenge

Development of sensor able to withstand working conditions (e.g. temperature and environment) and requirements (e.g. concentration of molecules to be detected) associated with monitoring in bioprocesses.

Demonstration that electrochemical low-cost biosensors could replace existing technologies.

Solution

Develop low-cost screen-printed sensors with tailored molecular recognition.

Explore the use of different polymeric coatings and combination of biomolecules to improve sensors stability and to tailor their analytical performance.

Effect

Biorapid project is expected to provide a variety of benefits at different level:

Improving the production of biopharmaceuticals by providing novel sensing tools for more punctual and cost-effective monitoring of the process and of the products.

Consolidating the positioning of the EU in the area of biopharmaceutical production.

Provide to the scientific community novel technical solutions and know-how in the area of bio-production and biopharmaceutical.

Provide the society and pharmaceutical industries with highly trained individuals.