Our work is related to the use of macroalgae as a renewable feedstock for the production of valuable chemicals and/or biofuels. Our goal is to select optimal processes in order to add value to marine biomass, which can lead the production of valuable chemicals and/or biofuels. In Finland we are focused on chemical treatments for algae, that mainly stand for deconstruction of the biomass matrix which can selectively separate carbohydrates, which consequently can be further processed for biofuels production. Chilean collaborators are mainly focused on biotechnological processes, on the development of new enzymes for degradation of algae carbohydrates and new microorganisms capable to ferment particular monomers into bioethanol.

Team

Ricardo Pezoa, Päivi Mäki-Arvela, Jyri-Pekka Mikkola