We are proud to contribute to BIOVALSA, an initiative supported by the Instituto Valenciano de Competitividad e Innovación (IVACE+i). This collaboration unites leading Valencian organizations such as AIMPLAS, VIROMII, Prime Biopolymers, UPV, and BioBam. The project focuses on transforming agricultural residues—such as rice straw and citrus prunings—into high-value bioplastics like polylactic acid (PLA) and polybutylene succinate (PBS), used across various industries.
BIOVALSA’s methodology will involve an integrated bioprocessing approach that combines biomass pre-treatment and microbial fermentation. Subcritical water treatments and reactive extrusion processes are employed to separate lignocellulosic biomass fractions, such as cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, with high efficiency. These fractions serve as feedstocks for fermentation, where specific microbial strains convert them into organic acids.
To enhance production efficiency, the project aims to apply directed evolution techniques to improve the metabolic performance of selected microorganisms. These strategies aim to optimize strain productivity and adaptability, reducing reliance on costly enzymes. BioBam supports this effort with advanced bioinformatics, analyzing metagenomic and transcriptomic data to identify functional genes involved in biomass degradation and acid biosynthesis. This collaboration is part of our commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and technological innovation in the Valencian biotechnology sector.
About the Author
Paula is a versatile professional with a background in visual arts, design, and branding. With her expertise in communication and marketing, Paula brings a creative and strategic approach to BioBam’s brand.