Almeria biotechnology company BiorizonBiotech leads a research consortium along with the University of Almeria and Cajamar Foundation. With funding from FEDER and the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities of Spain, the aim is to develop microalgae-based biopesticides within the framework of the ALGAE4CONTROL Project
With a total budget of more than half a million euros and 36 months in length, the project has been implemented, designed and promoted by CLEVER I + C, an R & D consultant from Almeria specializing in Biotechnology and Agri-food based in the Scientific-Technological Park of Almería (PITA) and also in Madrid, being in charge of the coordination and management.
New biopesticides
Algae4Control aims to develop biopesticide formulations based on the use of antimicrobial metabolites from cyanobacteria (microalgae) for agricultural use as natural phytosanitaries of biological origin and sustainable against phytopathogenic microbial agents.
The project has been proposed as objectives:
To evaluate the biopesticide activity of microalgae strains against the most relevant phytopathogens in intensive agriculture.
Characterize strains of microalgae of greater interest in terms of their growth capacity depending on the operating conditions and their influence on biopesticidal activity.
Identify the bioactive molecules produced by the microalgae and establish biocompatible extraction methods, maximizing the sustainability of the process,
Obtain and evaluate in vitro the extracts obtained to identify the mechanisms of action and develop formulations or presentations optimized for these products,
Scale the production process at the pilot level, from the production of the microalgae of interest to the extraction and formulation of the final product, and
Evaluate the bioactivity of the final product through field tests in real conditions.
Algae4Control involves intense both public & private cooperation over for a three years period. Cajamar Foundation participates as a reference research center in the field of intensive agriculture meanwhile the University of Almeria contributes its Research Center in Agri-Food Biotechnology, which will involve the participation of three research groups belonging to the University of Almeria: Development of microbiological techniques for the improvement of soils of agricultural interest, Biotechnology of marine microalgae and Aquatic Ecology and Aquaculture.
Biorizon Biotech leads the group by contributing its extensive experience in the development of research projects and the launch of new solutions for agriculture. In fact, Biorizon Biotech has been a world pioneer in the development of biostimulant products for agriculture from microalgae.