LIBBIO project has achieved results with Andean lupin with respect to breeding, agronomy, biorefinery processing and new product development. A genome wide association study (GWAS) demonstrated the large crop variability and its flexible response to different environmental conditions. This is a promise for future improvement of the crop and its adaptation to new climatic conditions. Andean lupin can yield up to 6,7 ton beans per hectare under favourable climatic conditions in for example Portugal with a plant density of 75 plants/m2. Its green biomass yield for e.g biogas production can be up to 120 tons/ha which is good for a biogas production of circa 7700 Nm3 CH4/ha. With this yield it can compete with green maize for biogas production in for example Southern part of Germany. Andean lupin can make its own fertilizer by fixating nitrogen from the air, thereby saving fossil fuel for fertilizer production. Therefore, Andean lupin is a carbo-negative crop with a Negative Carbon Footprint of about 1 ton CO2-eq/ha.
Andean lupin can be processed in a biorefinery by supercritical CO2 technology and other auxiliary processes, yielding oils (20%), vegetable proteins (45%) and probiotic dietary fibres (35%). Mayonnaise, low fat spreads and salad dressings have been successfully developed with Andean lupin oils. Also, skin and hair care cosmetic products are successfully developed with the oils which composition is close to argan oil. Andean lupin oil is especially high in the anti-oxidant gamma-tocopherol. Andean lupin protein and fibre can be used in food applications such as pasta (noodle) but also chocolate-bar, lupin yoghurt and lupin protein drinks. Andean lupin protein is successfully applied as biodegradable adhesive for wood products and is as good as soy bean based wood adhesives. Cosmetic application of Andean lupin protein is in anti-aging skin care formulations and nourishing hair care products. LIBBIO project has resulted in a possible complete new supply chain for food and high end biobased products based upon the Andean lupin.