What are the main results of your work in the blue bioeconomy?

EntoGreen’s process aims to contribute to increasing the sustainability of the agri-food sector. The blue bioeconomy is related to this objective, since we can provide alternative nutritional solutions for the production of aquatic animals, contributing not only to increasing the sustainability of their production, but also to reducing the need to exploit our seas.

We have been working with fish feed producers and aquaculture producers to evaluate how our nutritional solutions, insect proteins, can replace traditional feed ingredients, such as fishmeal. These lines of research, which are being developed in collaboration with national and international research centers, focus not only on the efficiency of replacing fish feed ingredients, but also on their impact on fish health and fishery products, ensuring that these new fish feed formulas can safely replace traditional ones.

A Blue Bioeconomy Project You Participated In and Are Proud Of

Although we have presented several projects on the blue bioeconomy, from the use of insect proteins and oils in shrimp, sea bass, and gilthead seabream feed to aquaponic systems, none have achieved results so far. Therefore, despite several international results pointing in this direction, we continue to work to present our own conclusions.

The Best Blue Bioeconomy Tip You Follow in Your Daily Life

In addition to replacing food ingredients, our company is very concerned about plastic and water. Thus, not only are we concerned about the disposal of plastic waste and water consumption in our daily lives, but our company is also developing alternatives to plastic using insect chitin (a new biodegradable polymer) and we are also contributing to the development of a new wastewater treatment.

A course, an event, a meeting, a person who influenced and changed or reinforced your ideas/methods/work procedures – best practices

During my PhD, I discussed new technologies almost daily with postdoctoral colleagues. In 2011, one of my colleagues sent me a TED Talk entitled “Why not eat insects?” The EntoGreen project started at that very moment.

How do you envision the blue bioeconomy in 30 years? Prediction

I believe we are moving towards a more sustainable agri-food sector, in which food products will be created through highly sustainable and often circular processes. I believe that in 30 years, we will have a society more connected to the sea and the marine environment, a sustainable society where nutritional loss is low and where we can avoid contamination and exploitation of the environment. I hope to see a thriving marine environment and our country making the most of its long connection with the ocean.

The Best of Working with B2E

EntoGreen is one of B2E’s funding companies, and it’s been great to follow their development. Our collaboration has grown in recent months, and we’ve already had the opportunity to work with this dynamic and motivated team on two calls for proposals.

An Idea to Improve Working with B2E

I won’t say the B2E team is perfect, but our recent experiences working with B2E couldn’t have been better.

When you’re not working, you’re:

Enjoying nature.