Companies are increasingly seeking biobased alternatives to synthetic products to create more sustainable processes and non-hazardous, biobased or even degradable end products. Chitosan meets this demand, but its wider adoption is hindered by challenges such as identifying the appropriate chitosan type, understanding its chemical characteristics, and ensuring consistency in its composition. Moreover, there are additional concerns about potential allergenic risks, as crustaceans are predominantly used as a feedstock for chitosan production.
Chitosan is already used in various applications, including food, feed, biomedical, cosmetics, and water treatment industries. Many new applications are also under exploration. Its versatility stems from its chemical structure, particularly the degree of acetylation and molecular weight, which influence its physicochemical properties and biological effects. While the structure-function relationship is partially understood for some uses, real industrial applications often face additional challenges, such as matrix effects and formulation complexities.
Goals
The VITAL project aims to develop fungal chitosan tailored for specific industrial applications and identify the optimal chitosan type for each application. The key objectives are:
- Production of low-polydisperse chitosan: Homogeneous, well-characterized chitosan fractions will be produced, which will help to better understand the structure-function relationship. For example, while average molecular weight values are typically reported, detailed molecular weight distribution data are needed to improve the functionality.
- Development of circular and sustainable production processes: The project aims to achieve zero-waste production by valorizing side fractions into high-value co-products and recycling or upcycling liquid side streams into fermentation or fractionation processes. This approach minimizes environmental impact and reduces waste management costs.
- Enzymatic derivatization of chitosan: Enzymatic derivatization will be explored as an alternative to chemical synthesis, offering potential advantages such as milder reaction conditions and high specificity for desired functional groups.
Request
To complete the consortium, the project partners are seeking additional industrial partners to test tailored chitosan in specific end applications and evaluate its desired properties, such as antibacterial, antifungal, flame retardancy, and its hydrophobic or hydrophilic characteristics. Partners from various sectors, including food, feed, textile finishing, medical, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, packaging, water treatment, soil remediation, etc. will be considered.
How to reply to this request?
Please send an email to Ward Van de Velde (ward.vandevelde@flandersfood.com) or Martijn Roosen (mroosen@catalisti.be) with Stef Koelewijn (skoelewijn@catalisti.be) in cc, and briefly describe your interest and potential contribution to the project, before 13 January 2025. Based on all offers, the current project partners will determine together which partners can join the consortium. After submission of your offer, you can be contacted to further elaborate your offer.
Important notice
Partners that wish to participate in Catalisti-supported projects are required to be member of Catalisti or of Flanders’ FOOD. For more information on membership and membership fees, please contact Ward Van de Velde (ward.vandevelde@flandersfood.com) or Martijn Roosen (mroosen@catalisti.be) with Stef Koelewijn (skoelewijn@catalisti.be) in cc.
Partners
