HIPSTERS – High value Proteins via Sustainable Technologies from Residual Streams

HIPSTERS uses an innovative extraction technology based on Oscillatory Flow Reactors (OFR) and the use of suitable extraction agents to continuously dissolve and valorize proteins and their amino acid components directly and with high yield from residual material streams of the food industry. Due to ideal mixing and intensified mass transfer, the OFR is used as a key enabling technology to realize chemical and enzymatic extraction routes (e.g.: ionic liquids in combination with enzymes such as proteases, cellulases and xylanases) with direct use of the biomass and continuous process control. Besides the main focus in purity and composition of the extracted proteins, the further path of the remaining residues on material basis – nutrient valorization in terms of circular economy – and the possibilities of energetic utilization are additionally considered. The project comprises the research areas around the product (proteins, amino acids), the process (specifically designed OFR extraction process) as well as a holistic energy- and resource-efficient biorefinery concept with systemic, circular economy -oriented optimization.