Project: Optimal use and valorization of biomass streams from Cichorium
| Acronym | CichOpt (Reference Number: 11) |
| Duration | 01/03/2018 - 28/02/2021 |
| Project Topic | CichOpt targets biorefinery concepts for sustainable use of all Cichorium biomass available. To realize this, it will use the most advanced ‘omics’ technologies and smartly designed biorefinery concepts striving for maximal integration by using environmentally and energy-effcient processing, extraction and purification technologies. Bio-activity guided process and product development will result in innovative concepts useful for a wide range of actors in the future bio-based economy, including food & drink applications and cosmetics and biomaterials as non-food applications (Fig.1). This, together with a strong EU research team, guarantees the evidence-based generation of innovative solutions needed for this bio-based economy. Cichorium species were chosen for their economic importance and local and regionally clustered availability of large volumes of waste & by-products. Some of the underutilized fractions such as forecd Belgium Endive roots are relatively stable and available almost year-round in relatively big volumes (>400.000 tons). This are all relevant assets to make underutilized biomass fractions of Cichorium crops a an interesting feedstock for multi-input, multi-output small scale biorefineries. From an agronomic viewpoint, most species have a good yield, climate resilience and potential to complement traditional EU crop rotations. Finally, economically relevant functionalities and bio-activities have been assigned to Cichorium biomass. Most of the species are rich in broad set of dietary fibers, sugars and secondary metabolities such as sesquiterpenelactones and polyphenols. This provides mutliple opportunities for the envisaged bio-based product development. Adequate LCA and TEA analysis will provide a solid base to select the best concepts. Strategic interaction with all relevant stakeholders right from the start of the project will result in the maximal valorization of the obtained results and an effective dissemination of the CichOpt results. This will support the wider goal of developping an EU bio-based economy that is sustainable and climate proof. |
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Project Results (after finalisation) |
NA |
| Website | visit project website |
| Network | FACCE SURPLUS |
| Call | 2nd FACCE SURPLUS Call for proposals |
Project partner
| Number | Name | Role | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Institute for agriculture, fisheries and food research | Coordinator | Belgium |
| 2 | Inagro vzw | Partner | Belgium |
| 3 | Wageningen Plant Research | Partner | Netherlands |
| 4 | Nationale Proeftuin voor Witloof vzw | Partner | Belgium |
| 5 | University of Hohenheim | Partner | Germany |
| 6 | VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd | Partner | Finland |