Application of biotechnological methods for sustainable exploitation of by-products of agro-industry

The project deals with the problems of low level of exploitation of by-products of agro-industry in Serbia and is focused on the research for possibilities of their valorisation using biotechnological methods. The aims of project are to assess the potential of selected raw materials for obtaining bioactive components with antioxidant, antimicrobial and other physiological and functional properties, to assess their susceptibility to microbial and enzymatic transformations and to assess their contributions to sustainability of agro-industry in Serbia. The subjects of this research are by-products of vegetable origin (from consumption and production of coffee, the production of soybean milk, fruit and vegetables and herbs). Usually, these by-products are discarded as municipal waste or applied (without control) as additional nutrients for small agricultural lend. Such an irrational disposal of by-products that contain highly valuable component represent the economic loss as well as organic loading in the environment. This research will help to understand the economic justification for the collection and processing of by-products in relation to their potential for obtaining the bioactive and functional components.