Project
Biorefinery & Chains; Green Health Solutions (cofin)
The transition to a circular bio-economy increasingly demands an optimised balance between the resources used and by-product streams (waste). An integrated system, efficiently using resources, involving functional food production (Bittergourd fruit) and waste production (Bittergourd stems and leaves), will be integrated in such a way that the Bittergourd plant will produce fresh (functional) fruit and bioactive (biorefinery) nutraceuticals or animal feed from stems and leaves. This project provides 1) building blocks for a circular and climate positive green society by valorization of biomass feed stock 2) biorefinery to shift biomass components up in the value chain and 3) develop strategies to reduce food losses and waste. Bittergourd fruit, stems and/or leaves are thought to have positive effects on metabolism during diabetes and increase the efficiency of glucose and protein metabolism in livestock.