High-value products from FLAXseed through Innovative biocatalytic Technologies (FLAXIT). (FLAXIT)

The aim of "FLAXIT" is to develop highly selective biocatalytic reactions for creating completely renewable molecules using flaxseed as the resource. For each ton of long flax fiber, 0.7 ton of flaxseed is produced in Belgium, which is considered a side stream, out of which 30-40% is oil and utilized mainly for low end technical applications. The other 60-70% is used as feed. With the intention of doubling the flax production to meet the growing fiber demand, flax growers in Belgium will produce higher volumes of flaxseed as by-product. In this project we will utilize the diverse biomolecules namely oil (consisting of polyunsaturated fatty acids), carbohydrates and proteins present in flaxseed to their best potential. With the help of extraction and biocatalytic transformations, we will create new value chains which open novel opportunities for farmers, industry, and society in Belgium. This project brings together a multidisciplinary team to use enzymatic- and microbial transformations to produce (i) methyl-, ethyl- and polyglycerol esters from flaxseed oil for personal care and cosmetic applications, (ii) long chain dicarboxylic acids from the flaxseed oil and carbohydrates for e.g. new polymers and cosmetic applications, and (iii) protein/peptides & water soluble dietary fibers from the defatted flaxseed cake for techno-functional applications in foods. In this way, we aim to obtain a zero-waste biorefinery for the valorization of flaxseed.

Keywords:FRACTIONATION TECHNIQUES, BIOCATALYSIS, BIOREFINERY

Disciplines:Biocatalysis, Industrial microbiology

Project type:Collaboration project