Description
Subproject 1 is implemented by 5 research groups and laboratories of the University of Patras. These include the Food Biotechnology Group, the Catalysis Group, the Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, the Laboratory of Biochemistry from the Department of Chemistry and from the Department of Chemical Engineering. The work for Subproject 1 has been organised in 13 work packages that include a set of activities concerning standard and industrial research for the development of innovations related to the food and beverage industry, the development of pilot demonstration systems for both the research and business sector, the implementation of activities to support accessibility, education and dissemination of results, and to expand the international cooperation of the Infrastructure and lastly a set of activities to support the organisation, operation and viability of the Infrastructure and to prepare it for the implementation phase.
Main objectives
1. The lab-scale development of an integrated production method for carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as a new generation nanotubes (from cellulose or from its composite polymer) for the controlled transfer of active substances (e.g. preservatives, pharmaceutical substances) in food and humans.
2. The development of a cell factory for the alcoholic fermentation of starch using modified (non-genetically) S. cerevisiae cells.
3. The development of a bioprocess for the conversion of cellulose to bioethanol with the use of a double-layered biocatalyst.
4. The development of new technologies for the exploitation of whey by developing appropriate cell factories.
5. The exploitation of the anti-microbial properties of anise as a natural food preservative.
6. The production of impure carbon particles from agro-industrial solid wastes by pyrolysis to be used as catalyst substrates or absorbers for purification of water and/or liquid wastes of the agro-industrial sector.
7. The development of rapid tests for the molecular testing and certification of food authenticity.
8. The over-expression and production of utilisable high added value proteins with potential (new) pharmaceutical properties using food industry wastes or by-products as basic substrates.
10. The transfer of mature technologies to the business sector for further exploitation.
11. The creation of a network of excellence.
12. The strengthening of the organization and operational structure of the research infrastructure.
Work packages
- WP 1 Integrated technology for carbon nanotubes and applications
- WP 2 Production of a cell factory and double-layered biocatalyst to add an extra bioprocess property to a cell without cloning
- WP 3 Production of double-layered biocatalysts for alcoholic fermentation of a batch of cellulosic raw materials without cell cloning
- WP 4 Nano-biotechnologies of cellulose for the exploitation of whey
- WP 5 Isolation and antimicrobial action of chemical ingredients from anise
- WP 6 Production of impure carbon particles from agro-industrial solid residues for use as catalyst vectors or absorbers in the purification of water
- WP 7 Molecular testing of food
- WP 8 Bacterial growth in food processing residues for over-expression and isolation of recombinant proteins
- WP 9 Technological-economical and environmental assessment of innovative food production technologies
- WP 10 Transfer of mature food bioprocessing innovations
- WP 11 Access of industrial, research oriented and investment companies to the Infrastructure
- WP 12 International cooperation and visibility of the Infrastructure
- WP 13 Coordination, management and organisation of the Infrastructure
