Project Details
Description
Australia's Economic Accelerator (AEA) - Ignite
This project aims to transform complex waste into high-value cosmetic oils and biofuels using engineered yeast strains, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional methods. By leveraging the unique abilities of black soldier flies (BSF) to process organic waste, the project will use the waste from BSF larvae, pupae and puparia as a renewable carbon source for yeast fermentation. The engineered yeast strains will be tailored to produce specific oils and fatty acids in high demand in the cosmetics and nutraceuticals industries, emphasizing their anti-inflammatory and skin-beneficial properties.
The project’s key objectives include optimizing yeast strains for high-value oil production, utilizing BSF waste streams, and scaling up the process for commercial viability. Collaboration with industry partners ensures that the products meet market demands and regulatory standards. The project is currently at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4-5, with an aim to reach TRL 7-8, enabling industrial-scale production.
This initiative not only addresses waste management challenges but also positions Macquarie University as a leader in sustainable bio-manufacturing, contributing to a more sustainable future.
This project aims to transform complex waste into high-value cosmetic oils and biofuels using engineered yeast strains, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional methods. By leveraging the unique abilities of black soldier flies (BSF) to process organic waste, the project will use the waste from BSF larvae, pupae and puparia as a renewable carbon source for yeast fermentation. The engineered yeast strains will be tailored to produce specific oils and fatty acids in high demand in the cosmetics and nutraceuticals industries, emphasizing their anti-inflammatory and skin-beneficial properties.
The project’s key objectives include optimizing yeast strains for high-value oil production, utilizing BSF waste streams, and scaling up the process for commercial viability. Collaboration with industry partners ensures that the products meet market demands and regulatory standards. The project is currently at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4-5, with an aim to reach TRL 7-8, enabling industrial-scale production.
This initiative not only addresses waste management challenges but also positions Macquarie University as a leader in sustainable bio-manufacturing, contributing to a more sustainable future.
| Acronym | AEA IG |
|---|---|
| Status | Active |
| Effective start/end date | 1/10/25 → 30/09/26 |