Acronym The Blue chain
Category
Aquaculture
Title De Blauwe keten - The Blue chain Programme Interreg V
Instrument (FP6)
Contact Type (FP7)
Strand (Interreg)
NA
Theme (FP7)
Activity Area (FP6)
Regional Area (Interreg)
Action (COST)
NA
Specific Programme (FP7)
NA
Funding source European Coordinator Elise Vandewoestijne Coordinator email NA
Coordinator institution
PCG - Vegetable Research Centre Kruishoutem (Belgium)
Institutions involved
NA - ABC-Kroos (Netherlands) ,
NA - AnKo Projects (Belgium) ,
BOM - Business Development & Foreign Investments B.V. (Netherlands) ,
KU Leuven - Catholic University of Leuven (Belgium) ,
UGent - Ghent University (Belgium) ,
IGRO - Inagro vzw (Belgium) ,
NA - IVACO (Belgium) ,
NA - Millvision BV (Netherlands) ,
NA - MV Plas Holding BV (Netherlands) ,
NA - Nanobranes Bvba (Belgium) ,
NA - REWIN Projecten BV (Netherlands) ,
Centexbel - Scientific and Technical Research Centre of the Belgian Textile Industry (Belgium) ,
NA - Stichting Avans (Belgium) ,
NA - VZW Boterakker (Belgium) ,
POM West Flanders - West Flanders Development Agency (Belgium) ,
Start year 2016 End year 2018 Funding (€) € 2,748,752 Website https://www.grensregio.eu/projecten/de-blauwe-keten Summary "In 'The blue chain' an attempt was made to approach the entire chain. On the one hand, a protocol was drawn up describing the most important parameters that are important for successful cultivation of spirulina in our border region. Much attention was paid to sustainability, economic feasibility and quality. Subsequently, a protocol was also developed for extracting and purifying phycocyanin. The phycocyanin was then used to color paper, cardboard, coating, biocomposite and textiles. As a protein, phycocyanin has the property of being both temperature and light sensitive, which meant that thorough research was necessary before this natural dye could be used.
After much effort and additional research, stabilization of the blue dye has been successful to a limited extent, but insufficient for a wide range of applications. It was not possible to find an answer to the UV sensitivity of paper, cardboard, coating and biocomposite: after coloring the materials, they turned gray over time. With textiles, especially linen and cotton, it was possible to successfully color these materials with the blue dye. Due to the weak UV stability, it is recommended not to use this dye for textiles that come into contact with direct sunlight. The dye appears to be potentially suitable for other markets. For example, phycocyanin can be recommended on cotton and viscose for mattress ticking. The dyeing process delivers very good results for sweatfastness and contains only natural ingredients. Phycocyanin is also suitable for dyeing interior textiles. We mainly think of furniture fabrics. Furthermore, the dyeing process can also be applied to fine clothing items where hand washing is the rule.
On the other hand, it is also important to be able to offer the product at a reasonable price. The weak UV resistance, combined with an expected higher cost price, meant that a full business case could not be developed. However, market analyzes were carried out during the project on the economic feasibility and the logistics process for the use of spirulina/phycocyanin in the textile and food sector. The market analysis conducted led to the identification of the key players in the chain and identification of sensitivities in the market, including an identification of barriers and conditions for the use of phycocyanin in the food sector.
Since sustainability was central to the project, it was also examined to what extent duckweed can be grown on residual flows, including those from spirulina cultivation. Impure duckweed clones consisting of a mixture of species (lemna minor and lemna major) show the best growth performance and therefore have the greatest potential for cultivation on residual water. Residual water from aquaculture, drain water from greenhouse horticulture and the discharged water after manure processing are suitable in pure form for growing duckweed. Thin fraction, digestate and whey are unsuitable for growing duckweed. For effluent after the microbiology of manure processing, pig urine and spirulina wastewater, finding a suitable dilution is of great importance to successfully grow duckweed. In pure form, the conductivity and pH are too high, creating toxic conditions for duckweed. Growing duckweed on pure spirulina waste is therefore not possible.
The project also looked at the applications of duckweed through lab and pilot scale testing. Applications of fresh duckweed in feed, nutrition or refining into high-quality protein products are initially preferred in order to maximally valorize duckweed. The use of duckweed will be further investigated in future research projects."
Keywords
Technology;
Land-based aquaculture;
Aquaculture development;
Water management;
Protocol;
Sustainability;
Marine Region
76
Not associated to marine areas
0
Marine Region Map
