MICROBOOST - Microalgae as fish health boosters via aquafeeds

About this project

<p style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif"><span style="color: #000000">MICROBOOST project aims to develop innovative research on microalgae functionality and understand their bioactivity on fish immune performance. At least four products will be developed: a new microalgae biomass (E. gracilis), a new blend (E. gracilis and Nannochloropsis sp.) and two bioactive aquafeed supplements for aquaculture applications derived from these microalgae.</span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif"><span style="color: #000000">MICROBOOST is led by Allmicroalgae, a large industry located in Portugal. Allmicroalgae provides excellence in microalgae cultivation and is considered an European reference for microalgae industrial production. Allmicroalgae’s mission is rooted in the desire to cultivate sustainable, global, green solutions, and to develop commodities by boosting microalgae’s natural intrinsic features and capabilities. </span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif"><span style="color: #000000">MICROBOOST will develop tight cooperation between the following partners: Allmicroalgae: one of the largest European producers of microalgae, NIVA: Norway’s leading institute for fundamental and applied research on marine and fresh waters, SPAROS: a science and technology company specialized in nutritional solutions for aquaculture, Green CoLab: a collaborative platform which bridges algae research and industry to drive algal biotechnology solutions, CIIMAR: a leading research and advanced training institution focused on ocean knowledge and innovation, and UiBergen: a Marine research reference with solid aquaculture knowledge.</span></span></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif"><span style="color: #000000">The new products proposed in MICROBOOST will compete in the aquaculture market, backed with a solid scientific and technical immunomodulating activity.</span></span></span></p>

Bilateral cooperation results

The involvement of the donor project partners was essential at all stages of the project implementation, as it ensuredthe project’s relevance and direct applicability. Bilateral engagement of partners was crucial since Activity 1, as it opened the door to explore the potential of NORCCA: the Norwegian Culture Collection of Algae, alongside NIVA. The NORCCA collection includes a priceless variety of microalgae strains, and their potential as ingredients to develop functional aquafeeds increases their commercial value. From a research standpoint, it was an opportunity to explore ways to cultivate these organisms, to learn about them, and document their key functionalities and industrial production feasibility.On the later stages of the project, the expertise and skills from UiBergen were pivotal to relay particular demands and needs of the aquaculture sector. Overall, UiBergen was an invaluable partner with key insights into the challenges faced by aquaculture producers and helped to bridge the gap between academia and industrial partners. A strong alignment between research findings and actual requirements for their direct implementation, in practice, guaranteed the project’s relevance and applicability.Altogether, there were successful academic-industrial partnerships which continued to foster innovation and to push the boundaries of knowledge, to build sustainable growth. By teaming up with Norwegian institutions, Microboost gained access to a rich ecosystem, both in terms of research and in technology transfer, to generate commercialization opportunities and ensure strong impact of the project’s findings.

Project partners

• University of Bergen Donor project partner· Norway
• Norwegian Institute for Water Research Donor project partner· Norway
• Sparos Lda Project partner· Portugal
• CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Center for Marine and Environmental Research Project partner· Portugal
• GreenCoLAB - Associação Oceano Verde - Collaborative laboratory for the development of green ocean technologies and products Project partner· Portugal