Bio2AgroFood
Project Info
- Title: Utilization of Sustainable Biotechnology in the Agricultural and Food Sector
- Registration Number: ATCZ00171
- Project Provider: Interreg AT-CZ 2021–2027
- Years: 2025–2027
- Total Grant (€): 764,773.53
Project Partners
- Institute of Microbiology CAS, v. v. i. – Centre Algatech, Třeboň (Leading partner)
- FH OÖ Forschungs & Entwicklungs GmbH, Wells
- Austrian Competence Centre for Feed and Food Quality, Safety & Innovation (FFoQSI), Tulln
Project Leader for MBÚ AV ČR Třeboň
Main Objective of the Project
The project focuses on cross-border partnerships in applied research to provide new solutions for the production of functional foods and feeds by regional companies, and for the use of microalgae in the production of biostimulants/biocides for regionally significant crops. Additionally, the project aims to strengthen collaboration among partners, thereby increasing regional competitiveness in research and development.
Project Description
The Bio2AgroFood project is focused on utilizing microalgal biotechnology in the food production industry within the region.
Food companies are interested in new functional foods enriched with sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), particularly omega-3 fatty acids, which are deficient in diets.
Agricultural enterprises demand feed products that improve the health of livestock and their resilience to stress. It has been demonstrated that one natural way to achieve this is by improving gut health and its microbiota.
The project also addresses the cultivation of regionally significant crops, such as wheat, barley, and poppy. With the current EU requirements (Green Deal), there is growing demand for natural sources of biostimulant/biocidal substances that farmers can utilize.
Microscopic algae are a vast group of microorganisms that produce substances useful in nutrition, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, agriculture, and more. These include substances relevant to this project, such as PUFAs, bioactive compounds supporting gut health, and biostimulants/biocides. While the effects of these substances have been scientifically described (e.g., bioactive compounds and their impact on gut microbiota, mechanisms of biostimulants/biocides from microalgae), the technologies for their extraction and processing for practical, commercial use remain underdeveloped. This project focuses on the development and application of such technologies.
The Institute of Microbiology (MBÚ) has extensive experience in cultivating and processing microalgae and knows various applications for them. FH OÖ and FFoQSI bring expertise in technological development in food and agriculture. The project outcomes include new or improved cultivation technologies, biomass processing, and the utilization of valuable compounds, described through Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and demonstrated by functional samples. These technologies will be developed through joint research and development and tested in real-world environments in collaboration with SMEs. At the end of the project, the results will be immediately available for commercialization under the principles of the GBER and the EU Framework on State Aid for Research and Development (see annex) without additional legislative restrictions.
