Value

$1,600,000

Project Description

The project targets development and demonstration of a prototype, portable and modular micro-factory for extraction of high value bio-actives and nutraceuticals from agricultural crops.  The portable micro-factory represents an innovative technology platform dedicated to meet the needs of small-scale agri-producers in achieving on-farm value addition of food and non-food bio-resource materials.

Benefits

- Custom-designed for processing a variety of agricultural bio-products (Blueberry Pomace,    Cranberry Pomace, Grape Pomace etc.)
- Cost efficient alternative to "bricks and mortar" processing facility
- Designed as federally-approved processing facility enabling direct access to export markets
- Portability enables units to be placed close to production base and available labor pool


Bio-Active Extraction Technology

The prototype micro-factory demonstrates a unique processing line for aqueous extraction of bio-active compounds from blueberries, cranberries and other aqueous fruit and vegetable substrates. The residue (pomace) from small juice manufacturers in the region contains a substantial proportion of bioflavenoids and related substances of nutraceutical value that is currently treated as waste or goes to low value uses such as animal feed. This material is available for value-adding and the micro-factory processing line is designed to extract these high value bio-actives, thereby realizing a better return for agri-producers and processors.

Now demonstrated and proven successful as a viable technology platform for small-scale agri bio-resource processing (using waste-stream small fruit extraction technologies), the micro-factories will be made available to the agri-food sector at large for a variety of value-added applications.

For example:

- Processing space for other niche-market functional food and nutraceutical-based products
- Custom-designed government inspected kitchen
- Wet/dry laboratory space

Acknowledgements 

Funding for this project provided by:

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
NS Department of Agriculture
PEI Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquacutlture
Atlantic Systems Manufacturing Ltd.

Van Dyk Health Juice Products Ltd.
Terra Beata Cranberry Farm
Van Ewyk Farms
Atlantic Systems Manufacturing Ltd.

Value

$4, 800, 000

Project Information

The “Creating New Wealth from Atlantic Bioresources” Project is a three and a half year, $4.8 million, research project that began in February 2007. In collaboration with the Nova Scotia Agricultural College, the Atlantic BioVenture Centre oversees the development of a series of innovative, new natural products which are derived from underutilized Atlantic bioresources. The broad objective of the proposed work is to develop a series of new value added natural products within the sectors of nutraceuticals, animal feed supplements, cosmeceuticals, and functional ingredients. The Project involves collaborators structured at two levels; Tier 1 collaborators, who will have first rights to enter into a licensing agreement to commercialize the resulting technology of the research activity; and Tier 2 collaborators, Atlantic Canadian companies which will contribute to the project by providing the required bioresource materials.

The Project is comprised of three sub-groups of research activities. The activities seek to utilize common technology approaches, wherever possible, through an integrated, sequential research program, which is focused on developing, testing, and demonstrating the product, and its delivery system from laboratory and pilot-scale proven technology, to a point of commercialization readiness. Under the direction of the principal investigator, there are three research scientists, one engineer and one technician currently working within the various research activities.