Bioceb is honored to announce an outstanding achievement by Cohort 3 Track 4 students in the BISC-E 2023 challenge, a prestigious competition organized by the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC). This annual Europe-wide contest is designed to stimulate entrepreneurship and innovation among students, challenging them to propose bio-based solutions that address pressing technological, environmental, or societal challenges.
Bioceb Track 4 team, BioAroma, has clinched the top spot in this competition. The team members, Nurdana Orynbek, Aiganym Abduraimova, Anastasiya Valakhanovich, and Fernanda Thimoteo Azevedo Jorge, have showcased dedication, innovation, and teamwork throughout the competition.
Based on a subject proposed by the researchers supervising the students’ Green Line Project (research activities carried out in the team ProBioSSep of the joint research unit SAYFOOD between AgroParisTech, INRAE and Université Paris-Saclay), the BioAroma team has developed an innovative biotechnological process to produce 2-phenylethanol (2-PE), a sought-after aroma compound with a rose-like fragrance. What sets their method apart is the sustainable approach of using agro-industrial wastes, such as apple pomace and whey, as substrates for production. This innovation not only addresses the environmental concerns associated with traditional production methods but also offers an economically viable alternative. Their proposal to produce 2-PE through fermentation using non-GMO yeast strains and low-cost food by-products is a game-changer for the cosmetics and food markets.
Their path to the victory was challenging. Starting with initial experiments at AgroParisTech labs, the students demonstrated dedication and expertise as they progressed through various competition rounds, including:
• Preparing a comprehensive document covering technical, economic, environmental, and business aspects of the technology.
• Delivering a compelling first pitch during the French finals organized by Bioeconomy for Change, where they won the first place.
• Representing France in the first European selection round, where they competed against teams from 15 other European countries and secured a top 5 position, advancing to the final selection round.
• Creating a concise 2-minute video for industry and business experts.
• Delivering a final pitch to industry experts in the European final, where they clinched 1st place.
As a result, the team had the opportunity to present their pitch video and receive the grand prize at Le Plaza Theatre in Brussels on the 5th of October 2023, where the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) celebrated its 10th anniversary with the event “Sowing the seeds of Europe’s bio-based revolution”. The event was not just a celebration but also a great networking opportunity, allowing the team to interact, share insights, and learn from the best in the business.
“Participating in the 10th year anniversary of the BISC was an honor for our GLP team. We expanded our network by getting in touch with the members of the bioeconomy industry. It is notable that a member of Bioeconomy for Change invited us to participate in the BIOKET conference which will take place in Reims in March 2024.”
As they received the prize, the students extended their gratitude to the Bioceb program, AgroParisTech/Université Paris Saclay and their research supervisors, Ana Karen Sánchez Castañeda (associate professor in Microbiological Engineering), Claire Saulou-Bérion (associate professor in industrial microbiology), and Marwen Moussa (associate professor in separative process engineering), for their unwavering support and guidance throughout the project’s development.
Testimonial from Ana Karen Sánchez Castañeda:
The students delivered an outstanding 10 minute presentation, including the video created for the competition. They then answered the jury’s questions in a relevant and concise manner, using information obtained from their bibliographic research, experimental results, and simulations. The subsequent discussion was of a high level, focusing on research questions that we are also reflecting on within the ProBioSSep team at the UMR SayFood. As supervisors, it was a real pleasure to see how well they had understood the project’s challenges and had thought through many technical, economic, and environmental aspects. It’s a great example of how teaching can contribute to research and vice versa. It was a top-notch performance, and they truly deserved the 1st place!
In conclusion, Team BioAroma’s victory is not just a personal achievement but a testament to the potential of sustainable, bio-based innovations.
As we look forward to the future, we are excited about the prospects of our technology and its contribution to a circular bioeconomy. The horizon looks promising, and we are geared up to make a lasting impact in the industry”
- Bioceb Cohort 3 Track 4 students.
Article written by Nurdana Orynbek and Fernanda Thimoteo Azevedo Jorge.
Apply to BISC-E 2024 HERE!
Updated January 2024