Projects
Perennia's BioVentures Team has worked on the following projects (as the Atlantic Bioventures Centre):
Project #1
Value: $1,600,000
Project Description
The project targets development and demonstration of a prototype, portable and modular micro-factory for extraction of high value bio-actives and nutraceuticals from agricultural crops. The portable micro-factory represents an innovative technology platform dedicated to meet the needs of small-scale agri-producers in achieving on-farm value addition of food and non-food bio-resource materials.
Benefits
- Custom-designed for processing a variety of agricultural bio-products (blueberry pomace, cranberry pomace, grape pomace etc.)
- Cost efficient alternative to "bricks and mortar" processing facility
- Designed as federally-approved processing facility enabling direct access to export markets
- Portability enables units to be placed close to production base and available labor pool
Bio-Active Extraction Technology
The prototype micro-factory demonstrates a unique processing line for aqueous extraction of bio-active compounds from blueberries, cranberries and other aqueous fruit and vegetable substrates. The residue (pomace) from small juice manufacturers in the region contains a substantial proportion of bioflavenoids and related substances of nutraceutical value that is currently treated as waste or goes to low value uses such as animal feed. This material is available for value-adding and the micro-factory processing line is designed to extract these high value bio-actives, thereby realizing a better return for agri-producers and processors.
Future Applications
Now demonstrated and proven successful as a viable technology platform for small-scale agri bio-resource processing (using waste-stream small fruit extraction technologies), the micro-factories will be made available to the agri-food sector at large for a variety of value-added applications.
For example:
- Processing space for other niche-market functional food and nutraceutical-based products
- Custom-designed government inspected kitchen
- Wet/dry laboratory space
Funding for this project provided by:
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
NS Department of Agriculture
PEI Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquacutlture
Atlantic Systems Manufacturing Ltd.
Project #2
Value: $4, 800, 000
Project Information
The “Creating New Wealth from Atlantic Bioresources” project is a three and a half year, $4.8 million, research project that began in February 2007. In collaboration with the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, the Atlantic BioVenture Centre oversees the development of a series of innovative, new natural products which are derived from underutilized Atlantic bioresources. The broad objective of the proposed work is to develop a series of new value added natural products within the sectors of nutraceuticals, animal feed supplements, cosmeceuticals, and functional ingredients. The Project involves collaborators structured at two levels; Tier 1 collaborators, who will have first rights to enter into a licensing agreement to commercialize the resulting technology of the research activity; and Tier 2 collaborators, Atlantic Canadian companies which will contribute to the project by providing the required bioresource materials.
The Project is comprised of three sub-groups of research activities. The activities seek to utilize common technology approaches, wherever possible, through an integrated, sequential research program, which is focused on developing, testing, and demonstrating the product, and its delivery system from laboratory and pilot-scale proven technology, to a point of commercialization readiness. Under the direction of the principal investigator, there are three research scientists, one engineer and one technician currently working within the various research activities.
Project #3
Value: $200,000
Project Description
Funded in conjunction with Demonstration of and assessment of a portable modular micro-factory for on-farm extraction of high value bioactives and nutraceuticals from agricultural crops (lowbush blueberries and cranberries) through to export market readiness.
Particulars include regulatory compliance and business modeling associated with novel product development and applications.
Project Partners:
Atlantic Canada Opportuities Agency - Innovative Communities Fund
Project #4
Value: $190, 000
Project Information
Funded by Agriculture and Agri-food Canada in conjunction with the Portable Modular Microfactory Project, this twelve month "Development Requiring Research" initiative is aimed at furthering the value chain of several Atlantic Canadian bio-resources.
Particular interest in this project has been focused on new use applications for both Atlantic Canadian rosehips and low-bush wild Blueberry leaves. The ABVC scientists and project team are tasked with developing new processing methods and commercial applications of the stated resources.
Project Partners:
Agriculture and Agri-food Canada - Science and Innovation Transition Year Funding
For more information, contact:
Richard Ablett, Chief Science Director, BioVentures
902 893 4152 | Email |
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