Sustainable Exploitation of bio-based Compounds Revealed and Engineered from naTural sources.

Project Information

SECRETed

Grant agreement ID: 101000794

DOI

10.3030/101000794

Project closed

EC signature date 5 May 2021

Start date 1 June 2021

End date 30 November 2025

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine, maritime and inland water research, and the bioeconomy

Total cost

€ 7 787 818,75

EU contribution

€ 7 787 817,75

Coordinated by

IDENER RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT AIE
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 3 - SECRETed (Sustainable Exploitation of bio-based Compounds Revealed and Engineered from naTural sources.)

Reporting period: 2023-06-01 to 2024-05-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Surfactants are a diverse group of amphiphilic lipids that facilitate the solubilization of hydrophobic substances in water, making them ideal for household and industrial cleaning. They can also form micelles, serving as carriers for active ingredients in cosmetics, nutrition, and pharmaceuticals. Biosurfactants capable of chelating Fe3+ ions are called marine siderophores, expanding their utility to other fields. While most surfactants are petrochemical-derived, interest in renewable biosurfactants is rising due to their higher activity, lower toxicity, and biodegradability. However, higher production costs and limited diversity restrict biosurfactants to just 10% of the surfactant market, highlighting the need for improved production and tailored biomolecules.
The overarching goal of SECRETed is to unlock the potential of marine and extremophilic bacteria as sources of tailormade amphiphilic molecules by means of:
To screen SECRETed microbial collections for biosurfactants and siderophores to infer novel Biosynthetic Gene Clusters (BGCs) in charge of their synthesis.
To construct an integrated genomic and chemical database containing described siderophore and biosurfactant pathways and specific subclusters, their chemical structures, and physiochemical properties.
To produce and iteratively refine a ‘mix and match’ modelling pipeline.
To validate and optimize designed new-to-nature BGCs and metabolic engineering of selected chassis.
To characterize compounds and optimize production and purification methods.
To develop and validate an integrated mathematical model of the production process.
To demonstrate the proposed solution at TRL-6 with the application of developed microbial strains in pilot-plant scale bioprocesses.
To assess the environmental, economic, and social perspectives of the process and products.
To exploit project results.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Specific coordination and management activities were implemented for effective project execution.

During months 25-36, WP2 consolidated microbial collections, standardized methodologies, and characterized new biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). USE, MATIS, and SZN identified numerous BGCs for biosurfactant and siderophore production: USE found 13 biosurfactant clusters and 32 siderophore synthetases; MATIS identified 3 biosurfactant clusters and 28 siderophore BGCs; SZN identified 6 biosurfactant clusters and 10 siderophore synthetases, linking genes to metabolites for 9 BGCs.

WP3 updated the data platform with partner feedback, incorporating chemical expansion, QSAR, and filtering. New functionalities support molecule selection and cheminformatics. Synthetic surfactants were linked to biological counterparts, and combinatorial simulations led to new "head-tail" compound designs. Genomic-scale metabolic models (GEMs) identified suitable microbial hosts.

WP4 optimized microbial platforms for biosurfactant and siderophore production. SZN, MATIS, and ICL developed genetic protocols for thermophilic, psychrophilic, and halophilic strains. ICL optimized strain performance, and SZN and ICL used a "mix-and-match" strategy for recombinant pathways, advancing industrial production capacity.

WP5 advanced analytical methods and structural characterization. UoA and SZN refined compound detection and dereplication workflows. PHM, BBEPP, and LUND led scale-up efforts, while USE and partners optimized extraction techniques. Novel compounds (rhodoheptins and rhodamides) were identified by UoA and SZN.

WP6 optimized scalable production processes. Task 6.1 developed an integrated model for bioreactor processes, and Task 6.2 improved metrics by 20%. Task 6.3 increased production efficiency by 25%, and Task 6.4 prepared strains for 150L scale-up.

WP7 advanced encapsulation and antitumor evaluations. SE encapsulated Coenzyme Q10 and oregano oil with rhamnolipids (RL), matching synthetic surfactants. siRNA-loaded nanoparticles were refined, and RL showed antimicrobial potential. ADL developed siderophore-polymers with strong antibacterial effects and explored targeted drug delivery.

WP8 conducted sustainability assessments and public engagement. Task 8.1 used Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to identify hotspots, suggesting improvements. Social LCA and Life Cycle Costing (LCC) identified labor conditions and cost drivers. Public engagement included workshops and social media, and regulatory standards were compiled.

WP9 made advancements in exploitation, dissemination, and engagement. Key exploitable results (KERs) were updated, covering biosurfactant applications, therapies, and a BGC platform. Dissemination reached 3,000 people, and collaboration within the AIMS Cluster boosted visibility. An IP strategy was defined to support commercialization.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The SECRETed project developed new methodologies to address challenges in biosurfactant and siderophore production.

Optimized Production Processes: SECRETed optimized workflows (media, fermentation, purification) using engineered strains, achieving higher yields of rhamnolipids and deferoxamines. Novel encapsulation technologies enable diverse applications in healthcare, agriculture, and cosmetics.

Advanced Tools: A Molecular/BGC database and machine learning were used to enhance molecular selection, supporting tailored biosurfactant production.

Comprehensive Assessments: LCA, S-LCA, and LCC identified environmental, social, and economic hotspots, with recommendations for sustainable improvements.

Public Engagement and Exploitation Strategies: Public outreach promoted biosurfactants' benefits, while regulatory analysis and commercialization pathways supported exploitation potential.

Post-Project Enhancements:

Improve production methods for eco-friendly technologies.
Develop guidelines to reduce environmental and social impacts.
Expand stakeholder engagement for bio-based products.
Finalize regulatory and IP strategies to support commercialization.
Impact:

Environmental and Economic: Reduced emissions, resource use, and costs, enhancing competitiveness.
Societal: Created new market opportunities, jobs, and increased public awareness, potentially influencing policies.
In conclusion, SECRETed advances scalable, sustainable biosurfactant production with significant environmental, economic, and societal benefits.

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