Training a new generation of researchers in offshore seaweed aquaculture to produce high-value chemicals

Project Information

SEACHEM

Grant agreement ID: 101073471

DOI

10.3030/101073471

EC signature date 15 July 2022

Start date 1 October 2022

End date 30 September 2026

Funded under

• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)

Total cost

No data

EU contribution

€ 2 657 022,11

Coordinated by

KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN
Belgium

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SEACHEM (Training a new generation of researchers in offshore seaweed aquaculture to produce high-value chemicals)

Reporting period: 2022-10-01 to 2024-09-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The overarching aim of the SeaChem DN project is to provide high-level training in the offshore cultivation and valorization of seaweed to a new generation of 10 high-achieving doctoral candidates (DC) and equipping them with the transferable and scientific skills necessary for thriving careers in the burgeoning area of non-land-based biomass cultivation and use. This international training program, encompassing 7 intersectoral partners (5 academic, 2 non-academic) in 5 countries, focuses on innovative technological developments across a range of interdisciplinary fields such as construction engineering, materials science, (micro-)biology, (bio-)chemical engineering, environmental biotechnology and machine learning. The success of SeaChem will be achieved by a unique combination of state-of-the-art doctoral research projects, intersectoral secondments, international mobility and unique interdisciplinary courses.

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

Activities performed/results achieved:
WP1:
- Developed a test setup to study buckling failure of stainless steel (homogeneous and hybrid) components under static loading.
- Generated an experimental database detailing failure modes and load-displacement curves for validation of finite element models (FEA).
- Experiments showed strong agreement between FEA and actual performance, enabling refinements to the Direct Strength Method (DSM).
- Corrosion tests, including CPT and planned PD-GS-PD tests, are progressing with marine site data from 46 locations.
- Machine learning identified LightGBM as the most effective algorithm for corrosion rate prediction.
- Seawater contamination studies demonstrated negligible emissions under physiological conditions.
- RNA sequencing of S. latissima exposed to zinc and cathodic protection systems is ongoing, with biomass samples awaiting analysis.
- Fatigue and sensor tests are actively being conducted.

WP2:
- Ulva selected for physiological studies under varying salinity, temperature, light, and nutrients reflective of its natural environment.
- Photosynthetic efficiency and growth performance analyzed to optimize biomass production for high-value compounds.
- Environmental influences on growth rate and carbohydrate composition tested, with samples prepared for carbohydrate analysis.
- Cultivation methods in 6-well microplates require refinement for better control.
- Submitted a literature review on environmental impacts on Ulva species.
- Aim to establish optimal growth parameters for commercial scalability.

WP3:
- Assessed four technologies (hydrodynamic cavitation (HDC), ultrasound (US), microwave (MW), and enzyme-assisted extraction) for seaweed product development.
- Selected six seaweed species (Ascophyllum nodosum, Alaria esculenta, Ulva sp., Palmaria Palmata, Fucus serratus, Fucus vesiculosus) for cascaded extraction processes.
- Novel US and MW techniques significantly increased yields of bioactive compounds compared to traditional methods.
- Ascophyllum nodosum processed for alginate, fucoidan, polyphenols, laminarin, and protein production.
- Alaria esculenta targeted for fucoxanthin extraction via HDC.
- Fucus serratus and Fucus vesiculosus focused on fucoidan extraction using in-situ US-assisted methods.
- Preliminary results are being shared for life cycle analysis (LCA) to assess environmental and economic viability.

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)

A range of novel extraction technologies, including hydrodynamic cavitation (HDC), ultrasound (US), microwave (MW), and in-situ enzyme-assisted methods, are being explored to enhance product yields from seaweed via a cascaded approach. Six seaweed species are under investigation, with Alaria esculenta, Ulva sp., and Palmaria palmata tested for novel preprocessing techniques on fresh, freeze-dried, and thawed seaweed biomass. Ascophyllum nodosum, Alaria esculenta, Fucus serratus, and Fucus vesiculosus are being applied in cascaded fractionation processes. Preliminary results indicate that these innovative processes, such as MW- and US-cascaded extraction of Ascophyllum nodosum and hydrodynamic cavitation of Alaria esculenta, yield significantly higher outputs of valuable compounds like alginate, fucoidan, and fucoxanthin compared to traditional hot water extraction. Additionally, a new test setup to study buckling failure of stainless steel (homogeneous and hybrid) components under static loading has produced a valuable experimental database that supports advancements in finite element models (FEA) and structural design for open ocean applications. Corrosion tests and field surveys at 46 marine sites are progressing, with machine learning analysis identifying LightGBM as the most effective algorithm for predicting corrosion rates, enhancing data-driven decision-making. For Ulva, research on photosynthetic efficiency and growth under varying abiotic conditions is providing insights to optimize biomass enriched in high-value compounds. These efforts collectively highlight the potential for environmental sustainability and commercial applications in both seaweed extraction and structural design. Data is currently being shared with DC10 to initiate a life cycle assessment (LCA) of the processes.)