Work Packages
BioBIVE is structured in seven Workpackages (WPs) with research activities on: Bioactive agents (WP1), Development of delivery systems and optimization (WP2), Testing and validation of the developed platforms (WP3), Field trials (WP4), Social, economic and environmental impacts (WP5) Communication, Dissemination and Exploitation (WP6) and Coordination and Management (WP7).
WP1
Bioactive agents
The goal of WP1 is the selection of bioactive agents from three different categories (basic substances, biocontrol microorganisms, phlorotannin-rich extracts) and the study of their potential to be used as antagonists or retardants of the deterioration caused by several plant pathogens infecting significant crops grown in the EU: carrots, strawberries or tomatoes. Their isolation, purification and analysis (phlorotannins) or screening (microorganisms) will also be addressed targeting WP3 activities to achieve better-functionalized systems in an eco-friendly approach.
Objectives
- Definition of the fungal model pathogens used as reporters.
- Selection, characterization and antifungal effect studies of basic substances supplied from different sources.
- Identification, cultivation, characterization and use in competitive bioassays of microbial antagonists.
- Production of seaweed extracts rich in phlorotannins, antifungal effect studies and chemical analyses.
- Selection of the best candidates from each bioactive agent type and up-scaled production.
WP2
Development of delivery systems and optimization
The goal of WP2 is the development and optimization of three functionalized bio-based systems based on previously available products (mulch film, biochar), which ease their further commercialization, and a new trending one (sprayable mulch films), suitable to carry and release those bioactive agents selected in WP1. Advanced formulation strategies via micro/nanoencapsulation technologies will be applied to protect the bioactive agents during the systems production processes and, additionally, control their field release kinetics. These are disruptive solutions within sustainable agriculture.
Objectives
- Development of micro/nanocapsules containing the bioactive agents suitable for inclusion in the systems.
- Design of formulations with antifungal properties based on the combination of biodegradable polymers, bioactive agents (free or encapsulated), and additives for biodegradable mulch films and geo-membranes.
- Upscaling the most promising formulations to produce bioactive biodegradable films.
- Upscaling the best-performing sprayable formulations (geo-membranes) to be used in WP3 and WP4.
- Develop a biochar delivery system for bioactive agents (free or encapsulated) using various feedstocks and pre/posttreatment methods to customise antifungal properties.
WP3
Testing and validation of the developed platforms
Aimed to complete the funnel strategy of functionalized systems selection, the goal of WP3 is to prove the integration of the selected bioactive agents (WP1) in the delivery systems (WP2) and their viability under controlled lab-scale and small-scale conditions prior to the full-scale field tests (WP4). Thus, two levels will be achieved in the validation process: i) bench scale (e.g., Petri plates bioassays, Molecular Biology tools), and ii) greenhouse-scale (e.g., soilborne pathogens reduction and film functionality).
Objectives
- Production of the preliminary formulations at small scale combining bioactive agents and systems.
- Antifungal properties validation based on lab and greenhouse small-scale tests.
- Functional evaluation of the biodegradable mulch films under small scale greenhouse conditions.
- Systems reformulation based on initially obtained feedback.
WP4
Field trials
This WP is fuelled by the previous three WPs, is focused on the experimental validation of the best functionalized systems. To achieve their objectives, field trials on commercially productive farms will be set up simultaneously in three different countries (Italy, Norway, Spain) and applied over the different BioBIVE selected crops and even different culture status (carrot, strawberry plant crop, strawberry fruit, tomato).
Objectives
- To assess and evaluate the impact of the bio-based delivery systems on antifungal activity in the field.
- To determine its impact on crop productivity and quality.
- To evaluate the impact on soil quality variables and soil microbiome.
WP5
Social, economic and environmental impacts
The main objective of WP5 is to generate insights and information about the activities throughout the project to make sure that the project delivers meaningful and significant economic, social and environmental effects and that the project outputs are of high relevance for relevant stakeholders. Activities and work performed within this WP will guarantee that all important socio-economic and environmental goals will be rigorously pursued, and the project can reach its optimum impact. To achieve this, the project will use a broad social science expertise based on the synergy of the technical, economic, political and social science knowledge.
Objectives
- Market analysis and regulatory framework assessment
- Multi-stakeholder engagement in a participatory and co-creative process.
- Risk, safety assessment, and sustainability (environmental, economic, and social) assessment of the new functionalized delivery systems of BioBIVE, according to the Safe and Sustainable by Design framework.
WP6
Communication, Dissemination and Exploitation
This WP6 oversees the proper Communication, Dissemination and Exploitation of results, to ensure that project beneficiaries protect, exploit, disseminate and provide access to those results in accordance with Horizon Europe guidelines and regulations. WP6 aims to provide extensive activities to benefit the largest group of persons and reach the widest target groups as possible covering:
- The general diffusion principles (Communication and Dissemination)
- The appropriate handling and protection of results.
- The final business cases and exploitation of the best solutions developed in BioBIVE.
Objectives
- BioBIVE innovations management and guarantee their effective exploitation (IPR management).
- To inform, promote and communicate project activities and results by providing targeted information to multiple and non-specialized audiences (Communication).
- Handling the results by sharing them with potential users, commercial players and policymakers to foster their knowledge and engagement (Dissemination).
- To use the BioBIVE results for commercial purposes or in public policymaking (Exploitation).
WP7
Coordination and Management
The WP provides effective project management throughout the duration of the project to accomplish all necessary administrative tasks establishing and maintaining an fruitfull communication between project participants.
Objectives
- To provide effective project management throughout the project duration.
- The accomplishment of all necessary administrative tasks and provide regular progress reports to the EC.
- To establish and keep effective communication between project participants due to BioBIVE coordination.
