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Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - AlgaeCeuticals (Development of microalgae-based natural UV Sunscreens and Proteins as cosmeceuticals and nutraceuticals)

Teaser

Microalgae biomass represents a rich source for discovery. The potential for algae-based ingredients in the industry relies on the manipulation and targeting of ingredients to fit increasingly niche product specifications. Algae are exposed to extreme environment and thus have...

Summary

Microalgae biomass represents a rich source for discovery. The potential for algae-based ingredients in the industry relies on the manipulation and targeting of ingredients to fit increasingly niche product specifications. Algae are exposed to extreme environment and thus have developed unique mechanism for protection. Furthermore, algae produce for the same reason different metabolites which we need to identify and exploit in a sustainable way for the production of food, drugs and cosmetics.
The AlgaeCeuticals project will take advantage of the native algae strains producing high added value products and through the application of novel omics technologies (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, enzymomics and metabolomics) as well as algae culture technologies and production of novel products. AlgaeCeuticals will screen and characterize algae biodiversity, develop and optimize algae culture systems, develop omics resources for algae and also develop downstream processing strategies and also develop novel products. For this reason and in order to achieve its object 4 academic and research centers from Greece (CERTH/INAB; AUA), Spain (CTNC, Centro Tecnológico Nacional de la Conserva y Alimentación) and Italy (FEM) will collaborate for four years with three industrial R&D partners from Greece (Fresh Formula), Spain (Bionos Biotech ND;) and Austria (Ecoduna AG). Through this collaboration the academic partners will work closely with the industrial R&D and form a complementary and highly competitive team that will promote transfer of knowledge and excellence to industrial partners. This will strengthen the industrial competitiveness in the field of food and cosmetics in the process of the design, development, testing of the products proposed by the project.
The overall objective is to unravel the potential of microalgae for the development of new products and thus exploit the potential of blue economy

Work performed

Microalagae are versatile photosynthetic organisms. They possess enormous potential and biodiversity, however, only a very small number of microalgae have been analysed and only a handful of strains and derived biomolecules are currently used in health and cosmetic applications. Untapped potential for algae-based ingredients in the industry relies on the manipulation and targeting of ingredients to fit increasingly niche product specifications. In the cosmetic industry, microalgae may be exploited either as natural crude extracts (multifunctional extract) or as purified specific products (e.g. bioactive secondary metabolites, enzymes). In the frame of the Algaceuticlas project, novel cultivation protocols have been developed. Novel protein, enzyme and MAA biomolecules have been developed along with the extraction methods. New cosmetics and food products have been developed.

Final results

Microalgae biomass represents a rich source for discovery in both the academic and industrial sectors. The potential for algae-based ingredients in the industry relies on the manipulation and targeting of ingredients to fit increasingly niche product specifications. Algae are exposed to the damaging wavelengths of solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and have evolved the capacity to synthesize or accumulate UV-absorbing mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), for protection against environmental UVR.
The proposed project will combine both basic and applied research in the fields of –omics technologies, biochemistry and applied and enzyme biotechnology in order to exploit microalgae resources for the development:
1) Natural UV sunscreens, based on algae mycosporine-like aminoacids,
2) Algae protein as a functional food, food supplement or cosmetic ingredient
3) Algae-derived proteases with applications in cosmetic (skin repair enzymes) and food industry.
The AlgaeCeuticals project will take advantage of the native Chlamydomonas strains whose technological and biological basis of culture is already available due the characteristics it has.
They will be exploited for the development of strains and processes to maximize cosmeceuticals and nutraceuticals yields from the lab to commercial products.
Beyond the more direct impact on R&D activities and product development of both the academic and commercial partners, the completion of the AlgaeCeuticals project will offer the opportunity for the:
• Development of well-defined end products and analytical tools to industrial partners.
• Reinforcement of European’s policies for Blue Growth by trans-sectorial interactions directed at exploiting know-how and capacities in the field of microalgae biotechnology. This will be stimulated by exchange of complementary information related to well-specified targets, by developing joint activities and strengthening the links between academia and industry and research and commercial activities.
• The project will evaluate novel microalga-based bioactive compounds for cosmeceuticals and nutraceuticals in human to determine effects on health, welfare, metabolism and productive performance. The challenges are multidisciplinary and cross-sectorial connecting the microalgae as a provider of novel products and solutions. This project will connect R&D and industry to stimulate a knowledge/technology flow. Thus, the project responds to specific scientific/technical questions of the research framework and involves direct interaction with the industry with the aim of preparing the «next generation» of scientists.
• Know-how diffusion: help researchers to be trained on modern biotechnological areas related to biotechnology and allow them to have access to facilities, techniques and methods not available in their institutions.
• The academic partners will work closely with the industrial R&D and form a complementary and highly competitive team that will promote the transfer of knowledge and excellence to industrial partners. This will strengthen the industrial competitiveness in the field of food and cosmetics in the process of the design, development, testing of the products proposed by the project.

Website & more info

More info: http://www.algaeceuticals.gr.