IX Executive Programme for Scientific and Technological Cooperation between the Italian Republic and the Argentine Republic 2026-2027
Call for Joint Scientific and Technological Research Proposals
The “Valorization of Agro-Industrial By-products by Recovering and Functionalization of Biomolecules” project is aimed at the valorization of by-products from the beef, fish, and aquaculture industries. The project is part of the scientific cooperation framework between Italy and Argentina, focusing on strategic sectors for the economy of both countries.
International synergy and Strategic collaboration
The success of this initiative is built on the solid integration of complementary expertise between ProdAl and INTA (National Institute of Agricultural Technology, Argentina). Continuous collaboration and face-to-face scientific exchange are the engines that transform bioeconomy challenges into concrete industrial opportunities.
Our multidisciplinary strategy leverages the specific strengths of each team through a synergistic workflow.
The ProdAl Team contributes its specialized know-how in enhancing the functionality, stability, and bioavailability of the obtained fractions, validating ingredient performance in model foods and laying the groundwork for technology transfer to the industry.
The INTA Team leads critical activities including the selection of by-products, optimization of extraction protocols, and enzymatic hydrolysis, ensuring the generation of extracts with high biological value.
The mobility of researchers is a cornerstone of this project. Working jointly at respective laboratories and pilot plants enables:
- Skill integration. Facilitating the direct transfer of technical skills and cross-validation of experimental results.
- Operational excellence. Enhancing activity coherence through shared experimental design and joint data analysis.
- Lasting relationships: Strengthening bilateral cooperation between Italy and Argentina, setting the stage for future initiatives in sustainable food processing, circular bioeconomy, and technological innovation.
Specific objectives
The initiative aims to transform animal by-products (organs, skins, trimmings) into high-value-added bioactive peptides. Through the application of biotechnological processes and non-conventional technologies, we aim to isolate compounds with antioxidant and antihypertensive properties, promoting circular bioeconomy models in the agrifood sector.
The project follows a rigorous experimental approach based on our center’s cutting-edge technologies, organized into the following phases:
- Advanced Recovery and Characterization. Starting from the physicochemical characterization of beef and fish by-products, we proceed to isolate protein fractions using physicochemical methods (pH fractionation, ultrafiltration, precipitation) and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE).
- Enzymatic Bioprocessing. We develop controlled hydrolysis protocols using GRAS enzymes (Alcalase, Papain, Neutrase). This process allows for the generation of functional peptides while ensuring the maximum food safety of the hydrolysates.
- Structural Design and Functionalization. The hydrolysates are analyzed for their chemical properties and bioactivity. We use non-conventional technologies such as High-Pressure Homogenization (HPH), Pulsed Laser (PL), and Ultrasound (US) to selectively modulate protein structures. This approach allows for precise control over structural transitions, optimizing the biological and techno-functional properties of the ingredients.
- Stabilization and Validation. The hydrolysates are stabilized through freeze-drying or spray-drying (atomization drying) to ensure industrial preservation. The final phase involves validation in model foods (e.g., hamburgers, sausages), evaluating their impact as natural preservatives and functional ingredients.
Project partner
The VIBRAnt-Bio project The project is implemented by ProdAl Scarl in collaboration with l’Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Argentina
