General aims of the project are to:
- Promote integration between research and the business sector so that results from research in the field of biotechnology for human health are taken forward to the market, thereby contributing to generating jobs and business opportunities, and increase investment in research and innovation in the economies of Sicily and Malta
- Promote sustainable management of resources and ‘cleaner production’ in the fishing industry and food services sector in Sicily and Malta, thereby minimizing risks associated with waste for the environment
Specific aims of the project are to:
- Set up a joint living lab with ‘spaces’ in Malta and Sicily to work at the interface between research and enterprise
- Define biotechnologies and procedures for the production and commercial exploitation of a range of innovative, stakeholder-driven health products, such as marine collagen and Omega-3 & 6 fatty acids
- Minimize the quantity of fish waste from the fishing sector and food services sector
Main project results:
A Joint living lab proving services to enterprise
A set of stakeholder-driven products co-created with enterprise:
bioactive molecule extraction procedures
marine collagen extraction procedures
fish food from fish waste production procedures
models for organic refuse (fish waste) collection
tailor-made business plans for enterprise
Key messages
Human Health message: the potential value of fish waste as regards the extraction of marine collagen, bioactive molecules (antimicrobial, antioxidant, antitumor and regenerative activity of the extracted and purified molecules) and omega 3 & 6 fish oils. Marine collagen plays a particularly important role in the project as it is major component in cosmetic and skin care products
Environmental message: Promote sustainable management of resources and ‘cleaner production’ in the fishing industry and food services sector in Sicily and Malta, thereby minimizing risks associated with waste for the environment, circular economy, rational use of discards and fish processing waste, reduction in transport costs to dispose of organic waste on the smaller islands
Blue Growth message and Business message: blue growth is the business sector connected to the ocean and seas and has an inherent economic circularity and sustainable growth approach. The key business message is that the products created by Bythos (cosmetic or pharmaceutical based products, nutraceuticals, omega oils, fish feed and organic refuse collection opportunities) make sense financially