YEAST4VALUE

Objective

The main objective of the YEAST4VALUE project is the development and optimisation of an innovative and sustainable biorefinery process focused on the valorisation of agri-food and pruning waste, through the integration of transformation technologies based on enzymatic hydrolysis and precision fermentation of oleaginous and carotenogenic yeasts, with innovative extraction technologies based on pressurised liquids (supercritical fluids (SFE) and subcritical water (SWE)), for the selective obtainment and recovery of high-value compounds for food and cosmetics, such as i) plant oils and extracts rich in fatty acids of commercial interest, including unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) (e.g. omega 6) and bioactive compounds, as well as ii) yeast-derived fats bioequivalent to oils whose production has a negative environmental impact (e.g. palm oil), and iii) carotenoids with high antioxidant capacity and market value (e.g. astaxanthin). The project also includes the use of the remaining fraction obtained at each stage for the formulation of a soil biostimulant product, thereby promoting a circular, high-performance biorefinery that is environmentally friendly and aligned with the principles of the circular economy.

Scientific and technological objectives of the project:

Develop a conditioning process for agri-food and pruning waste for use as raw material in yeast cultivation.
Determine the potential of the selected agri-food and pruning waste for yeast cultivation through its physicochemical and nutritional characterisation.
Develop processes (pressurised liquids such as supercritical fluids and subcritical water) for the extraction of oils and active ingredients from the selected lignocellulosic raw materials and from the biomass generated from the selected yeast species.
Develop hydrolysis processes for the conversion of lignocellulosic fractions from the selected raw materials into fermentable sugars.
Develop fermentation processes using lignocellulosic hydrolysates to obtain high-value industrial products from yeasts.
Develop a method for the stabilisation and obtainment of formulations from the oils/carotenoids produced.
Formulate a pelletised biostimulant from the remaining fractions obtained in the proposed biorefinery process.
Validate the functionality and safety of the high-value products obtained in the different biorefinery stages.
Determine the sustainability of the biorefinery process scaled to TRL6 through a life cycle assessment (LCA).
Determine the economic viability of the biorefinery process scaled to TRL6 through a life cycle costing analysis (LCC).

Activities

Project coordination
Project coordination
Development and integration of extraction and fermentation stages in a biorefinery process.
Obtaining high added-value compounds through an integrated pilot-scale biorefinery process.
Product validation.
Life cycle and cost analysis.
Communication plan.