- Sitra, AVA-ASAJA, IDiBE-UMH University, Prospera Biotech and AINIA participate in FRUTALGA, a project that seeks innovative technological solutions for the recovery of lost fruit not suitable for human consumption and the decarbonization of the fruit sector.
- Fruit losses generated in the early stages of the chain account for 22% of the total volume of losses and waste.
Taking advantage of lost fruit as a loss of production in agricultural activities to obtain bioproducts including high-value products for the cosmetic industry is the objective of FRUTALGA. An industrial research project, led by AINIA, with the participation of Sitra, AVA-ASAJA, the IDiBE-UMH University and Prospera Biotech.
It is worth remembering that food production and consumption systems are responsible for 26% of CO2 emissions globally. Developing innovative alternatives to achieve longer carbon cycles by obtaining high-value bioproducts is key to developing a more sustainable and circular bioeconomy. Therefore, FRUTALGA aligns with the main objectives set by the European Green Deal to achieve emissions neutrality by 2050.
Specifically, the project proposes to develop an innovative decarbonization solution, economically viable, through the valorization of new products with high added value through different technologies. These technologies cover three lines of work that contemplate (i) the mixed cultivation of microalgae and bacteria for biofertilizer products, and (ii) the pure cultivation of microalgae for cosmetic products, both from residual fruit nutrients. Finally, (iii) processes will be carried out to obtain extracts of interest for cosmetic products, from residual fruit and microalgal biomass.
Priority for the European Union
Developing solutions to the problem of food loss and waste – which accounts for 6% of total global greenhouse gas emissions – is a priority for the EU. FRUTALGA constitutes, therefore, an alternative and innovative solution inspired by the biorefinery concept to valorize the fruit losses generated in the first stages of the chain and which represent 22% of the total volume of losses and waste. The solution is especially necessary for the Valencian Community due to its enormous weight in the Spanish fruit sector.
The FRUTALGA project is financed by the Agència Valenciana de la Innovació with the help of the Comunitat Valenciana Program European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 2021-2027.
