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The largest Research Center for biopesticides, probiotics and prebiotics in Europe.
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Area with over 5,000 square meters
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Over 2,000 square meters of greenhouses
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More than 40 full-time researchers.
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Collaborations with public and private centers and organizations.
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Leading edge equipment.
Almería takes the leading role in science with the largest Research Center on biopesticides, prebiotics, and probiotics in Europe. These forefront facilities located in Vícar, count with more than 5,000 square meters focused on R&D&I, allowing us to be more competitive and to reach our ultimate goal: to unseat the use of synthetic chemicals and offer superior natural solutions with higher efficacy.
Change is upon us and we are proud to provide more employment, more wealth, more research and more health for our province, in order to bequeath the best legacy possible to future generations.
An incentive was obtained from the Andalusian Innovation and Development Agency (IDEA) of the Regional Government of Andalusia for a sum of € 13,259,728.95, of which 80 % is co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for the implementation of the project “MANUFACTURING PLANT FOR BIOTECHNOLOGICAL PRODUCTS FOR AGRICULTURE” with the aim of achieving a more competitive business network.
Research areas
The Research Center relies on 4 large areas of work: botany, microbiology, microalgae and green chemistry. The trials are conducted in a greenhouse which is over 2,000 square meters and counts with an area for outdoor crops.
Cutting-edge technology
Discover our research center
Microalgae cultivation area
Microalgae cultivation area
- Recognition of new strains with biopesticide, biostimulant or symbiotic activity.
- Maintenance of a collection of our own cultures
- Selection of growing mediums.
- Optimization of growth conditions.
- Acquisition of starters for large-scale inoculation.
- Collection of small samples of biomass to use in trials and determine its composition
Microbiology Area
Microbiology Area
- Recognition of new strains with biopesticide, biostimulant or symbiotic activities.
- Maintenance of a collection of our own cultures.
- Trial on antibiotic-activity of plant extracts obtained from fermentation and of algal origin.
Cellular Cultivation Area
Cellular Cultivation Area
- Trials on mammal cells.
- In vitro toxicity.
- Bio-prevention: studies that demonstrate the healthy activity of plants grown in synergy with certain microorganisms, with the application of biostimulant, among others.
Fermentation Area
Fermentation Area
- Study of cultivation conditions of all types of microorganisms.
- Selection of growth substrates.
- Production of secondary metabolites applicable to agriculture.
Analytical Area
Analytical Area
- Elucidation of new active molecules.
- Quality monitoring of extracts from botany, microalgae and microbial fermentations.
Formulation Area
Formulation Area
- Stabilization trials of active constituents.
- Physical-chemical stability studies over time.
- Preparation of trial samples for use in greenhouses and fields.
Extractions Area I
Extractions Area I
- Sample classification.
- Grinding and conditioning of biological material.
- Pre-treatment of plant material, partial hydrolysis, among others.
Extractions Area II
Extractions Area II
- Extraction trials of various mother cultures.
- Concentration, separation of fractions.
- Fractions generation for bioguiding studies.
Phytotrons Area
Phytotrons Area
- Small scale development of trials on plants in fully controlled conditions, being able to reproduce the conditions of any part of the world; as well as simulating situations of extreme stress.
- Ability to emulate extreme climates, from -5°C to 35°C.
- Humidity levels from 0% to 100%.
- Controlled photoperiod.
Pest area
Pest area
- Breeding and maintenance of confined pests.
- Activity tests: Repellency and lethality.
- Numerous models: Suckers, defoliators, nematodes, bacteria, soil fungi, aerial fungi, among others.
Pilot Plant-Photobioreactor Area
Pilot Plant-Photobioreactor Area
- Testing at a semi-industrial level the most suitable strategy to produce each type of microalgae.
- Previous steps before industrial scaling.
Industrial Fermentation Area
Industrial Fermentation Area
- Industrial level scaling of developments previously obtained in laboratory.
- Obtainment of biomass or supernatants with biopesticide, antifungal, biostimulans activity, among others.
- Production of starters in large volumes for large-scale fermentations in solid substrate.
Industrial Extraction and Concentration Area
Industrial Extraction and Concentration Area
- Large scale extraction of active molecules from vegetal, microbial or algae origin.
- Low temperature concentration of the extractions carried-out or from microbial cultivation media.
Probiotic Manufacturing Area
Probiotic Manufacturing Area
- Sterile growth medium manufacturing area.
- Sterile inoculation area.
- Clean, growth and ripening area under controlled conditions.
- Yield capacity of over 500,000 liters year.
Greenhouse Area
Greenhouse Area
- Implementation of several trials on healthy and diseased plants.
- Controlled photoperiod.