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October 25, 2024-GTU Office of Press and Public Relations
Assoc. Prof. Bengü Ergüden from the Department of Bioengineering at Gebze Technical University (GTU) has received support for her project titled "Artificial Intelligence-Supported Optimization Studies for the Utilization of Food Waste in Microalgae-Based Bioproduct Production" within the scope of the TÜBİTAK 1002-A Rapid Support Module.
Microalgae are gaining attention in biotechnology due to their rapid adaptation to environmental conditions, high growth rates, and substantial biomass. Their high lipid content makes them valuable not only for the biofuel industry but also as alternative sources of omega-3 fatty acids, leading to their frequent use in recent years in food supplement formulations. However, microalgae production is generally costly due to the composition of the culture medium, which remains the biggest barrier to widespread consumption in both sectors. In this context, the project aims to produce microalgae with high lipid and omega-3 content using food waste and by-products, thereby reducing costs.
The project team includes Assoc. Prof. Fatih Tarlak and Research Assistant Gözde Yeşiltaş from the Department of Bioengineering at GTU. The project will develop a new concept for using food waste and by-products as a nutrient source for the production of microalgae with high lipid content. The proposed approach offers an innovative way to produce algal biomass rich in lipids, which could potentially be applied in both the biofuel and food industries. |
