Developed within the Knowledge-Based-Bio-Economy framework the project CAMAFAN aims to produce the blue-green, water-soluble pigment called marennine. This pigment is synthesised by some diatoms of the Haslea genus and present both intracellularly and as an extracellular product in the culture medium.

Marennine has a high economical potential not only for its traditional to in the greening of oysters's gills and pulps, but also due to its anti-oxidative, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties which could be of use in industrial biotechnology. In this project we will characterise in detail this pigment and test its use as a high-quality feed additive for aquaculture relevant species and as a colourant and nutraceutical for feed and pre-pharma industry. In order to achieve this we will establish diatom mass production for the production of intra and extracellular marennine. The relevance of marennine's antiviral and anti-bacterial properties within aquaculture production (as partial or full replacement of unwanted drugs) will also be determined. The placement of the resulting new products in the global market of aquaculture, food and pre-pharma industry will be developed in collaboration with partners.

Project Lead: Joachim Henjes | Ricardo Pereira

Duration: 2 Years;

More information: click here

Partners: 2 SME from Germany and Russia;

Funding:Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and EuroTransBio funding initiative (ETB)