Project UniCorn: Unique enzyme solutions for obtaining added value products from corn
The EU's overarching objective is to augment the proportion of recycled waste, enhance resource utilization efficiency, and foster the sustainable development of European economies, all while minimizing the extraction of additional natural non-renewable resources. Europe's commitment to this cause has positioned it as a global leader in industrial biotechnology. Addressing these challenges within Serbia, the UniCorn project aims to devise tailored, cost-effective, and eco-friendly enzyme solutions for bioprocessing, optimizing the utilization of corn agri-food byproducts, including the valorization of corn cob and grains into high-value food items.
The UniCorn project will research enzymes obtained from microorganisms, processing waste, and by-products of the corn industry to obtain high-value products.
The scientific contribution of the UniCorn project is reflected in obtaining unique enzyme preparations aimed at a comprehensive process of processing corn materials without waste residues.
The materials remaining after the enzyme action will be used as new biocomposites (pollutant adsorbents) for wastewater treatment.
Through the implementation of the project, the development and professional progress of young researchers and PhD students involved in the project will be enabled.
The UniCorn project team consists of motivated young researchers (Dr. Marinela Šokarda Slavić, Dr. Sanja Stojanović, Marina Ristović, Višnja Kosić and Marija Pavlović) and experienced senior scientists (Dr. Biljana Dojnov, coordinator, Dr. Nataša Božić, Dr. Aleksandra Margetić, Dr. Zoran Vujčić and Dr. Miroslava Vujčić) with broad knowledge in biochemistry, chemistry, microbiology, molecular biology and biochemical engineering. All team members have extensive knowledge of enzymes in theoretical and practical terms – production, purification, characterization, improvement, inhibition, activation, and practical use in biocatalytic reactions. Dr. Nataša Božić and Dr. Marinela Šokarda Slavić have extensive experience in bacterial enzyme production and molecular biology, while Dr Biljana Dojnov, Dr. Sanja Stojanović and Marina Ristović have similar skills and knowledge acquired from working with fungi. Dr. Aleksandra Margetić, Dr. Zoran Vujčić and Dr. Miroslava Vujčić have broad knowledge in organic chemistry and biocatalysis. Each WP is multidisciplinary and its implementation requires the cooperation of team members. Members of the project team, besides the UniCorn project funded by the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia, were involved as leaders and participants in the implementation of several projects contributing to the development of knowledge-based bioeconomy. Four grants supported by the national Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development (1755, 142026B, OI 172048, OI 172055); four innovation grants supported by the Innovation Fund of Serbia, including one proof of concept, two bilateral projects between Serbia and Spain and Serbia and Austria; and an international CRP-ICGEB research project.
At the recent Food Tech 2024 congress, members of the UniCorn project team presented significant results highlighting their innovative research and technological advances.
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On Friday, September 27, 2024, the Young Scientist Laboratory Training (YSLT) training was held. Višnja Kosić presented the topic "Improving (thermo)stability of Pullulanase Enzyme", along with the tools she used in her research.
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The participation of UniCorn project researchers at the XIII conference of the Serbian Biochemical Society entitled "Amplifying Biochemistry Concepts", held on 19-20 September 2024 in Kragujevac, Republic of Serbia, and presenting part of his ongoing research within this project.
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Participation of UniCorn project researchers at the 5th Enzyme and Bioprocess Days conference, held on 27-29 August in Izmir, Turkey. Part of the research was presented, as well as the UniCorn project, financed by the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia through the PRIZMA program.
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As part of the UniCorn project, the first scientific paper was published in the Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, entitled "A Simple and Fast HPLC Method for Determining the Composition of Fructooligosaccharides and Xylooligosaccharides Obtained by Fungal Enzymes"
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Project UniCorn, Program PRISMA, which is financed by The Science Fund, Republic of Serbia, got its new web presentation - website.
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New RT-PCR has arrived! Project UniCorn, from the Program PRISMA, acquired new equipment necessary for this project realization.
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The first Young Scientist Forum (YSF) was held in the organization of the UniCorn project, Program PRISMA.
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The UniCorn project team, Program PRISMA, attended a meeting with representatives of the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia during their visit to IHTM.
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The UniCorn project in Serbia seeks to develop cost-effective and eco-friendly enzyme solutions for bioprocessing, optimizing the use of corn agri-food byproducts, and converting corn cobs and grains into high-value food items.
The proposed systematic approach and platform strive to identify products and processes that are economically viable for implementation. An additional merit of this project proposal lies in the valorization of corn materials, obtained through enzymatic treatment, for wastewater treatment purposes. The entire concept introduced here is innovative, emphasizing its comprehensiveness and the strategic use of available raw materials. Simultaneously, it demonstrates a heightened awareness of environmental impact, seeking both preservation and improvement. This approach propels the development of unique enzyme solutions for targeted value-added products, surpassing current industry standards.
The successful execution of the project, involving the acquisition of new enzymes or mutated variants suitable for the bioprocessing of corn-based materials, establishes a flexible bioprocessing concept adaptable to and optimizable for a diverse array of agro-industrial raw materials. This adaptability is anticipated to broaden the spectrum of potentially highly valuable compounds. Serbia, possessing high-quality human and natural resources, is well-positioned to cultivate and implement a sustainable bioeconomy. This endeavor holds the potential to rejuvenate our industries, modernize production systems, and safeguard the environment while concurrently preserving biodiversity.