Duration of the project:
April 2026 – June 2029
Lead partner:
COBIK – lead partner
Project partners:
University of Primorska / Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Maribor / Faculty of Medicine, National Institute of Biology, Reni d.o.o., Acies Bio d.o.o., Datapan d.o.o., Mlinotest d.d.
Project activities:
The use of cell cultures offers numerous opportunities for biotechnological applications and the sustainable production of high-quality nutrients. Conventional cell culture still relies heavily on fetal bovine serum (FBS), which is expensive, varies between batches, is difficult to use at large scale, and raises concerns related to animal welfare and safety.
The project activities of the Faculty of Health Sciences focus on the development and evaluation of hydrolysates derived from nutrient-rich side streams of the food industry, such as surplus bread, pasta, bran, whey, okara, and spent brewer’s yeast, with the aim of replacing fetal bovine serum in cell culture media. Within the project, the raw materials will first be stabilised and biochemically analysed. Various chemical and enzymatic processes will then be used to develop and optimise hydrolysates, whose composition, safety, and biological efficacy will be thoroughly evaluated.
This will be followed by testing on different cell lines, monitoring their effects on cell viability, proliferation, metabolic activity, long-term phenotypic stability, and gene expression. Hydrolysates with an optimal composition will be included in a library linking the source of the raw material, hydrolysis method, chemical composition, and cellular response. At the end of the project, a preliminary techno-economic analysis will also be carried out to assess the potential for industrial production and commercial application.
Project website: https://www.stream2food.si
