Objective The overall aim of the project is to realize a commercial opportunity to produce low molecular weight polysaccharides (LMWP) from alginate- and agar-bearing seaweeds for applications in food & health, and wellness products by a group of SMEs. The aim will be addressed by an integrated workplan comprising 1 management activity 5 interlinked RTD workpackages, and a dissemination and exploitation activity. In the RTD programme, Cybercolloids (CC) will produce and characterize 8 novel, LMWPs from alginate and agar raw materials provided by 2 SMEs - ROKO (RO) and Hebridean Seaweed (HS). The LMWPs will be screened using batch culture fermentations with human faecal bacteria, for prebiotic activity (i.e. ability to modulate beneficially the gut microflora) by University of Reading (UREAD). The 2 most effective agar and alginate LMWPs will be selected and bulk produced by CC for validation of prebiotic activity in a feeding trial in human volunteers (University of Ulster)). The end points to be assessed will be stimulation of beneficial bacteria (bifidogenic effects), increased short chain fatty acid production, beneficial effects on stool formation, and improvements in gut barrier function (assessed by an in vitro method). Additionally, benefits of the LMWPs towards plasma lipid profiles and blood glucose levels will be assessed. Alongside the human study, a detailed investigation of the effects of the selected LMWPs in an in vitro model of the human colon will be conducted by UREAD to provide supporting evidence for beneficial effects on bacterial types and activities in the colon. RO and HS in conjunction with CC will implement LMWP technology transfer and scale-up to facilitate production at an industrial scale. Subsequently, another SME Marigot Ltd, will provide a route to market and in conjunction with RO, HS and CC will exploit, with respect to the health and wellness sector, the relevant knowledge provided on the efficacy of novel LMWPs from alginate and agar. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologybacteriologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculeslipidsnatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculescarbohydratesengineering and technologyindustrial biotechnologybioprocessing technologiesfermentation Programme(s) FP7-SME - Specific Programme "Capacities": Research for the benefit of SMEs Topic(s) SME-1 - Research for SMEs Call for proposal FP7-SME-2007-1 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme BSG-SME - Research for SMEs Coordinator THE UNIVERSITY OF READING EU contribution € 64 462,00 Address WHITEKNIGHTS CAMPUS WHITEKNIGHTS HOUSE RG6 6AH Reading United Kingdom See on map Region South East (England) Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Berkshire Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Adam Bell (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Participants (5) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all Marigot Ltd Ireland EU contribution € 328 323,00 Address Strand Farm Currabinny 000 Carrigaline See on map Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Administrative Contact David O' Leary (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Total cost No data Industrias Roko S.A. Spain EU contribution € 307 019,00 Address RUA OS REGOS 27 15173 OLEIROS See on map Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Administrative Contact Pedro Sanchez (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Total cost No data HEBRIDEAN SEAWEED COMPANY LIMITED United Kingdom EU contribution € 236 771,00 Address ARNISH POINT INDUSTRIAL ESTATE 1.3 HS2 9JY STORNOWAY See on map Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Administrative Contact Martin Macleod (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data CYBERCOLLOIDS LIMITED Ireland EU contribution No data Address STRANDHAVEN CORK Carrigaline See on map Region Ireland Southern South-West Administrative Contact Ross Campbell (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data UNIVERSITY OF ULSTER United Kingdom EU contribution No data Address CROMORE ROAD BT52 1SA Coleraine See on map Region Northern Ireland Northern Ireland Causeway Coast and Glens Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Administrative Contact Chris Gill (Dr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data