BiOBreW · Biological Upgrading of Brewer Spent Grain into high added value products

Biological Upgrading of Brewer Spent Grain into high added value products

The BiOBreW project is a pioneering initiative that seeks to transform the brewing industry’s most abundant by-product, brewers' spent grain (BSG), into a source of high-value bioproducts. BSG represents approximately 85% of the total by-products generated during beer production, with an estimated 20 kg of wet BSG produced for every 100 L of beer brewed. Despite its potential, BSG is currently used mainly as low-value animal feed or disposed of, leading to significant environmental and economic inefficiencies. BiOBreW introduces an innovative cascade biorefinery approach to fully utilize BSG, integrating advanced biotechnology, enzymatic extraction, nanotechnology, and biogas valorization to develop a circular and sustainable process. The project aims to: 1-Extract high-value antioxidants (ferulic acid and p-coumaric acid) from BSG using different extration methods as novel enzymatic and hydrithermal technologies. These antioxidants are widely used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and nutraceuticals due to their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. The project seeks to optimize their extraction yield to 90%, far exceeding current industrial methods that achieve yields below 30%. Unlike conventional chemical extraction methods, which rely on hazardous solvents, BiOBreW employs environmentally friendly enzymatic hydrolysis, reducing chemical waste and improving product purity. 2-Enhance the stability and bioavailability of extracted antioxidants through nanocarrier encapsulation. Antioxidants like ferulic and p-coumaric acids degrade rapidly and have poor permeability, limiting their industrial applications. BiOBreW will develop biodegradable ultra-deformable liposomes capable of improving their penetrability and half-life by over 80%, ensuring their effective use in pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations to treat sin patologies. 3-Convert the residual BSG into biogas via biological gasification. The enzymatic and hydtothermal pre-treatment applied for antioxidant extraction enhances the biodegradability of BSG, facilitating its conversion into methane-rich biogas through anaerobic digestion. This approach contributes to sustainable waste management while generating a renewable energy source. 4-Bioconvert methane from biogas into ectoine, a high-value compound for the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Ectoine, produced by halotolerant methanotrophic bacteria, is a widely used skin-protective and anti-inflammatory ingredient with a market value of approximately €1,300/kg. However, current ectoine production methods are inefficient, with low bacterial growth rates and high operational costs. BiOBreW will optimize the cultivation of robust methanotrophic consortia and develop a high-efficiency bioreactor system to achieve methane-to-ectoine conversion efficiencies above 90%. The BiOBreW project integrates Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) to ensure a holistic approach to sustainability, economic viability, and societal acceptance of its innovations. While the project is primarily focused on biotechnology and environmental engineering, SSH disciplines play a crucial role in maximizing its impact and facilitating its implementation. Economic and Market Analysis: Understanding the economic feasibility of extracting antioxidants from brewers’ spent grain (BSG) and converting methane into ectoine requires a comprehensive techno-economic assessment. This includes cost-benefit analysis, business model development, and market research to identify potential applications in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical industries. The project will also evaluate consumer perception and willingness to adopt bio-based products, ensuring that BiOBreW’s outputs align with market demands. Regulatory and Policy Frameworks: The use of biotechnological processes in waste valorization must comply with EU sustainability policies, environmental laws, and food safety regulations. Legal experts will analyze the legislative landscape surrounding bio-based products, biogas utilization, and circular economy strategies, providing guidelines for policy alignment and industrial-scale implementation. Sustainability and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA): A key aspect of SSH integration is evaluating the environmental, social, and economic impact of BiOBreW’s processes. By conducting an LCA, the project will quantify the carbon footprint reduction, resource efficiency improvements, and waste minimization achieved through enzymatic extraction, biogas valorization, and ferulic acid production. Social Perception and Public Engagement: The success of circular bioeconomy solutions depends on public awareness and societal acceptance. BiOBreW will implement science communication strategies to educate consumers, industry stakeholders, and policymakers on the benefits of using eco-friendly, bio-based products. Outreach activities will include workshops, media dissemination, and stakeholder engagement with environmental organizations and regulatory bodies. Ethical and Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI): BiOBreW follows the principles of Responsible Research and Innovation, ensuring that all developments consider ethical, gender, and inclusivity aspects. Open science practices, gender-balanced research teams, and interdisciplinary collaboration will be promoted throughout the project to align with EU sustainability goals. By incorporating SSH disciplines, BiOBreW not only advances technological innovation but also ensures that its solutions are economically viable, socially responsible, and aligned with regulatory frameworks, fostering a sustainable and inclusive circular bioeconomy. BiOBreW is a multidisciplinary project that merges biotechnology, engineering, environmental sciences, social sciences, and economics to create a sustainable and circular bioeconomy model for the brewing industry. By integrating SSH disciplines, the project not only advances scientific and technological frontiers but also ensures that its solutions are socially responsible, economically viable, and aligned with regulatory and consumer expectations.

Текст от CORDIS, на английски · Данни: CORDIS, © Европейски съюз