A prototype of Greon's small-scale photobioteactor solution was deployed within a partner's industrial facility in the city of Varna (Bulgaria) earlier this month. The biotechnological process was specifically designed to cultivate selected strain of B. braunii in photobioreactors, with specific environment parameters devised to force B. braunii to produce elevated quantities of lipids, while lowering the content of proteins and carbohydrates.
"Our aim was not only to produce microalgae-based oil, but to optimize the bioprocesses so that the algae produce more and more oils, thus delivering an economically viable alternative to fossil fuels", said Mrs. Radostina Petrova, co-founder оf Greon . "The logical next step is to conduct pilot-scale harvesting experiment and to evaluate further the economical efficiency of the oils we produce from algae."
Algae strain selection was made, using Greon’s knowledgebase - compiled information source on species, organised by different domains of scientific knowledge: taxonomy, biochemistry, genetics, physiology, microbiology, primary and secondary metabolites, biomembranes and structural biology, environmental factors, biotechnology, process design and mathematical modeling, organic and inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, etc. This comprehensive species portfolio is further matched against different types of industrial waste, different routes for biomass conversion to third generation biofuels, and different efficiencies of biotransformation. The knowledgebase development is a corner stone of Greon’s disruptive technology, and it provides the grounds for its competitive edge.
Greon is the first Bulgarian company focused on algae biomass and biofuels consultancy and third generation biofuels process development. Our major interests are focused in biotechnology research and development, technology transfer of innovative and disruptive technologies in different industrial sectors, and corporate social responsibility consultancy and implementation via introduction of high-tech green technologies. Converting industrial waste into valuable source of energy is Greon’s fundamental goal as industrial processes are tightly connected with emission of enormous amount of waste gases and waste waters. We are aiming, not only at lowering the carbon footprint of the industrial plants, but also at minimizing their toxic waste products.
More info at www.greon.eu
