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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 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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

The International Symposium for Trainees in Agri-Food, Nutrition and Health was held at the Richardson Centre for Food Technology and Research at the University of Manitoba from 25 to 26 January 2024. This event was organised in collaboration by the University of Manitoba’s Department of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences (FHNS) and the Canadian Centre for Agri-Food Research in Health and Medicine (CCARM). Researcher Joana Sofia, from the University of Minho, co-promoter of Algae Vertical’s SP2 sub-project, took part with a presentation entitled; ‘Hydrolysis in subcritical water for the production of gelling and bioactive algae extracts’, work carried out as part of the ongoing SP2 project.

 

SPAROS, a partner in the Algae Vertical project and part of sub-project 5, organised a workshop entitled “Biomarkers for Fish Performance and Robustness Assessment” at the University of the Algarve, where pioneering methods using biomarkers to assess fish welfare and adaptability were presented. This meeting explored innovative approaches to using biomarkers to assess fish health and performance, covering crucial topics such as molecular markers, growth potential, oxidative stress, immune response and stress prediction in various conditions.

 

Algae Vertical was present at the Lisbon Food Affairat FIL in Lisbon, represented by Subprojects SP4A – SEA2FORK with a poster presentation and SP4B – ALGAE FOR MEAT, FISH AND EGGS ANALOGUES with an oral presentation. The Lisbon Food Affair is the most important trade fair for the agri-food sector in Portugal.