Vertical Algae Featured in Voz do Campo Magazine

Algae Vertical Partners Featured in Latest Issue of Voz do Campo Magazine

In the June edition of Voz do Campo magazine, various partners in the Algae Vertical project were invited to contribute their knowledge and experience. This highlight reinforces the importance of collaboration between institutions for the valorisation of algae in the agricultural sector, among others.

GreenCoLab

GreenCoLab, a collaborative association focused on algae research and valorisation, presented its advances in the creation of biofertilisers, biostimulants and biopesticides. These solutions are promising alternatives to traditional agrochemicals, promoting more sustainable and resilient agriculture. Read the article here.

PROALGA

PROALGA participated with an article entitled ‘Portugal is moving towards becoming a global reference in the algae sector.’ The article emphasizes how Portugal stands out for its innovation in the sector, with pioneering companies such as Necton, ALGAplus, Allmicroalgae and Iberagar, as well as artisanal Spirulina producers. Read the article here.

InnovPlantProtect & Necton

IPP, in co-authorship with Necton, highlighted the development of algae-based soil microbiota bioprotectors and modulators. These products aim to increase the sustainability of agricultural production, reducing environmental impact and improving soil and plant health. Read the article here.

The collaboration between these partners demonstrates the potential of algae to transform diverse sectors, from agriculture to food and beyond. For more information on the contributions of Algae Vertical’s partners, visit our website.

 

Nordic algae Symposium – ISA

Anabela Raimundo from the University of Lisbon’s Instituto Superior de Agronomia, was one of the speakers at the Nordic Algae Symposium, in Copenhagen.

The presentation, entitled “Food and Feed for the future: the role of microalgae as a sustainable ingredient”, focused on the importance of alternative food sources, with microalgae playing a crucial role. Climate change, the increase in the world’s population and the transition from domestic to large-scale consumption involve a number of strategies. This paper presents case studies of these strategies that show the impact of microalgae on the nutritional profile, texture and appearance of food.

 

SeaWheat – COST Action

Co-promoter ALGAplus took part in the workshop “Emissions, Capture, Utilisation: Methodologies and Challenges for Ulva” in Estonia, organised by SeaWheat COST Action. Inês Oliveira, from ALGAplus, presented a poster and a presentation on the company’s development over the last decade and its involvement in projects such as Algae Vertical, which contribute to the evolution of the blue economy. The COST SeaWheat action (CA 20106 – TOMORROW’S ‘WHEAT OF THE SEA’: ULVA, A MODEL FOR INNOVATIVE MARICULTURE) uses interdisciplinary methods to sustainably exploit marine resources, focusing on the biology, ecology, aquaculture, engineering and socioeconomics of Ulva. In line with the food security priorities of Horizon 2020 and UN Sustainable Development Goal 14, SeaWheat promotes the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources.

 

Transversal | 2nd Marine Forest Festival

Iberagar, a participant in the Algae Vertical project and a specialist in macroalgae for the hydrocolloid sector, has been invited to take part in the Marine Forest Festival. The event, organised by the University of the Algarve, the Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR) and Vila do Bispo Town Council, took place from 7 to 11 May at Porto da Baleeira in Sagres. Iberagar was part of the ‘Alga Talks’ activity in which it presented a talk entitled ‘Iberagar: Activity, Research and Development’ about its activity and the projects it is involved in, one of which is Algae Vertical

XPERiMENTA 2024

Researchers from the University of Aveiro organised an exciting activity for high school students, part of XPERiMENTA, in the context of Algae Vertical’s SP1A sub-projects. Entitled ‘Algarte: Exploring the colours and textures of seaweed’, this experience allowed young people to explore the science behind seaweed’s polysaccharides, lipids and pigments. They learned how to extract biomolecules and analyse their properties, such as colour and the formation of gels and films. This scientific ‘journey’ through the richness of seaweed incited scientific curiosity, provided practical experience and promoted networking with researchers

GreenCoLab launches ‘Algae on the Menu’ project

GreenCoLab has just launched an innovative educational and informative project called ‘Algae on the Menu’, as part of the dissemination of Subproject 7, in collaboration with Sp4b. This project, led by Kricelle Deamici, head of the Food team, in partnership with Chef Leonel Pereira from CHECKin Restaurant in Faro, promises a series of interactive activities with the community. Workshops, classes, masterclasses and showcooking sessions will be held, providing a unique and flavoursome experience that highlights seaweed as a versatile and nutritious ingredient.

 

IX Bioengineering Week

As part of sub-project 4b, CoLab4Food took part in the IX Bioengineering Week, which ran from 22 to 26 April at the Instituto Superior Técnico in Lisbon. During the event, a workshop entitled ‘Green Cuisine: The Gastronomic Potential of Microalgae’ was organised, led by CoLab4FOOD researchers, in which participants learnt about the various gastronomic applications of microalgae. The 9th edition, organised by the Biological Engineering, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Engineering, Bioengineering: Regenerative and Precision Medicine, and Bioengineering and Nanosystems courses, included lecture cycles, workshops, pitch sessions, alumni sessions, study visits, a company fair and a debate.

 

19th Food Colloids Conference

SP2, Biorefinery, was represented at the 19th Conference on Food Colloids, which took place in Greece, organised by the prestigious International Hellenic University. The University of Minho presented a poster entitled “Nanoemulsion as a promising strategy to increase the bioaccessibility of beta-carotene obtained from Dunaliella Salina’, centred on the use of nanoemulsion as a promising strategy to increase the bioaccessibility of beta-carotene from Dunaliella Salina.

 

56th Feira AGRO 24 – InPP, Braga

InnovPlantProtect took part in AGRO – the International Agriculture, Livestock and Food Fair, which took place from 21 to 24 March at the Altice Forum Braga.

This fair, recognised as one of the most important in the north-west of the Iberian Peninsula, is the main agricultural, livestock and food exhibition in northern Portugal. The InPP team took the opportunity to present its work, highlighting its products and services in the field of crop protection. The event also served to publicise the Mobilising Agenda of the Blue Bioeconomy Pact, with a special focus on the SP6 activity led by InPP.

 

Transversal | 4th Meeting Algae Vertical

The 4th Plenary Meeting of the Mobilising and Green Agendas for Business Innovation was held at the University of Aveiro, bringing together all the co-promoters of the Algae Vertical Project. The event was attended by the Mayor of Aveiro and the President of the CCDR Centre his initiative served as a platform for presenting the results and progress of the projects underway as part of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR). During the event, Miguel Marques, Chairman of Inovamar’s Executive Board of Directors, presented the Pact for the Blue Bioeconomy and its results, while the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Necton, the project leader, discussed the general results and work carried out.