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H2020Staff exchange2018–2023

AlgaeCeuticals · Development of microalgae-based natural UV Sunscreens and Proteins as cosmeceuticals and nutraceuticals

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2018-01-01 → 2023-06-30
EU contribution
€1,129,500
Participants
9
Scheme
MSCA-RISE

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners. CORDIS does not always give exact coordinates for projects before 2014. These points are placed at city or country level.

Results in brief

Development of microalgae-based natural UV Sunscreens and Proteins as cosmeceuticals and nutraceuticals

Microalgae is a recent definition of microscopic, unicellular algae. They are commonly found in marine and freshwater ecosystems and they can live in chains or individually. Microalgae play a vital role in photosynthesis by producing atmospheric oxygen and by use carbon dioxide to grow biomass. They form the foundation of the food web along with bacteria and cyanobacteria. Overall objectives Optimization and upscale for mass production of microalgae Omics resources for microalgae Examination of bioactivity of biomolecules and extracts Identification, fractionation and characterization of high-value-added enzymes Formulation and development of new algae-based cosmetic products. Feasibility studies concerning the integration of algal extracts in cosmetic productsThe AlgaeCeuticals project took advantage of the native algae strains producing high-added value products through the application of novel omics technologies (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, enzymomics and metabolomics) as well as algae culture technologies and the production of novel products. AlgaeCeuticals screened and characterized algae biodiversity, developed and optimized algae culture systems, developed omics resources for algae, and also developed downstream processing strategies and novel products like food which include microalgae biomass, and cosmetics which included microalgae extracts. For this reason and in order to achieve its objectives 4 academic and research centers from Greece (CERTH/INAB; AUA), Spain (CTNC, Centro Tecnológico Nacional de la Conserva y Alimentación) and Italy (FEM) collaborated for five years and a half with three industrial R&D partners from Greece (Fresh Formula), Spain (Bionos Biotech ND;) and Croatia (Particula Group). I

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

The biotechnology of microalgae has gained considerable importance in recent decades, as they represent a largely untapped reservoir of novel and valuable bioactive compounds. The biological and chemical diversity of the microalgae, has been the source of unique bioactive molecules with the potential for industrial development as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, nutritional supplements. The proposed project will combine both basic and applied research in the fields of –omics technologies, biochemistry, 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-based nutraceuticals as functional foods and food supplements, 3) Algae-derived proteases with applications in cosmetic (skin repair enzymes) and food industry. The implementation of the project will offer to the involved academic and SMSs the opportunity to translate scientific research into well defined knowledge-based ‘green’ products and analytical tools. Apart from scientific objectives, the project will enhance the European’s capacity in the field of Blue Growth and Marine Biotechnology by exchanging interdisciplinary knowledge, developing and disseminating joint research activities, thus strengthening the intersectoral links between academia and industry for sustainable growth.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • ETHNIKO KENTRO EREVNAS KAI TECHNOLOGIKIS ANAPTYXIS · THERMI THESSALONIKICoordinatorGreece
  • ASOCIACION EMPRESARIAL DE INVESTIGACION CENTRO TECNOLOGICO NACIONAL DE LA CONSERVA · MOLINA DE SEGURASpain
  • EPARELLA GMBH · Bruck An Der LeithaCity levelAustria
  • FONDAZIONE EDMUND MACH · San Michele All'AdigeItaly
  • FRESH FORMULA PRIVATE LIMITED COSMETICS MANUFACTURING COMPANY · KOROPIGreece
  • GEOPONIKO PANEPISTIMION ATHINON · ATHINAGreece
  • IGV GREENFOOD GGMBH · Nuthetal Ot BergholzrehbruckeCountry levelGermany
  • LAB ANALYSIS LIFE SCIENCE SL · VALENCIASpain
  • PARTICULA GROUP DRUSTVO S OGRANICENOM ODGOVORNOSCU ZA ISTRAZIVANJE RAZVOJ I PROIZVODNJU · VISKOVOCroatia

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union