Development and validation of metabolic activation systems for mutagenicity testing not using vertrebrate animals

Objective

To isolate halotolerant/halophilic bacteria which are not only capable of growing in the relatively high osmolarity and temperatures of olive-mill waste but which also have specific biodegradative capacities.


A microbiological, biochemical and molecular genetical investigation of the adaptive mechanisms and biodegradation activities of the microorganisms involved will be performed. This basic information will be applied to the development of laboratory-scale and pilot-plant composting units incorporating microbial consortia with enhanced potential for detoxifying OMW. The physical and chemical properties of OMW composts will be determined and they will be evaluated in glasshouse and field trials for their safety and value as fertiliser.

In this unique combination of basic and applied approaches, the project draws together, for the first time, the expertise in OMW from all major mediterranean countries most involved in the olive oil industry, with specific complementary expertises in the physiology/biochemistry of halophilic and thermophilic bacteria in a balanced programme.

Fields of science

• natural sciences › biological sciences › biochemistry
• natural sciences › biological sciences › microbiology › bacteriology
• engineering and technology › environmental biotechnology › bioremediation › compost
• medical and health sciences › basic medicine › physiology

Programme(s)

• FP3-ENV 1C - Specific research and technological development programme (EEC) in the field of the environment, 1990-1994

Topic(s)

• 02 - Technologies and engineering for the environment

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

UNIVERSIDADE NOVA DE LISBOA

Address

93,rua Da Junqueira 93
1349-008 Lisboa
Portugal

Participants (6)

AUTONOMOUS UNIVERSITY OF BARCELONA

Spain

Address

Campus De Bellaterra
08193 Bellaterra

Johannes-Gutenberg-Universität Mainz

Germany

Address

Obere Zahlbacherstraße 67
55131 Mainz

Rijksuniversiteit Leiden

Netherlands

Address

72,wassenaarseweg
2300 RA Leiden

UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DELLA TUSCIA

Italy

Address

Via S. Camillo De Lellis
01100 Viterbo

University of Birmingham

United Kingdom

Address

Edgbaston
B15 2TT Birmingham

Université Catholique de Louvain

Belgium

Address

72,avenue E. Mounier
1200 Bruxelles