Transforming Food Sustainability with Innovation and Circularity
Objectives
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Develop safe and cost-effective PPB bioprocesses.
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Demonstrate PPB applications in food and feed chains.
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Assess nutritional, environmental, and health impacts of PPB.
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Enhance public awareness and societal acceptance.
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Promote exploitation and long-term sustainability of PPB technologies.
Key results
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Scalable PPB production validated for food-grade and feed-grade applications.
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Environmental and social impact assessment via (s)LCA and stakeholder engagement.
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A comprehensive regulatory roadmap for PPB-based products.
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Open-access knowledge shared via Zenodo and public dissemination platforms.
Stakeholders
Academics and researchers
Food production professionals
Biotechnology and food industry leaders
Policy makers
General public and consumers
Civil society and innovation networks
Purple4Life News
Project Technology Highlight: Fraunhofer IMTE’s Expertise in Evaluating PPB as a Functional Feed Ingredient for Salmonids
Within the Purple4Life project, Fraunhofer IMTE plays a role in the feed application of purple phototrophic bacteria (PPB) by contributing its expertise in fish nutrition and health. A key part of their work involves evaluating how innovative functional ingredients — particularly PPB — affect fish growth performance, health status, welfare, and overall product quality. This includes assessing both physiological responses and potential benefits for sustainability and feed efficiency. This research phase is essential for establishing the scientific basis needed to safely implement PPB as a sustainable alternative to traditional antioxidants in aquaculture nutrition.
Project Technology Highlight: Imperial College London’s Expertise in Defining Sustainability in Future Food Systems
As new bio-based solutions emerge to transform how we produce food and feed, one fundamental challenge remains: defining and measuring what “sustainable” actually means in practice.
Purple4life first workshop in Mons signals breakthrough moment for sustainable food and feed innovation
On 19–20 March 2026, the University of Mons (UMONS) hosted a successful two-day international workshop titled “Boosting the use of Purple Phototrophic Bacteria (PPB) as innovative food and feed ingredients: From metabolism to health-promoting effects.”
Purple4Life
Horizon Europe Project
Grant Agreement No. 101212806
Project duration: June 2025 – May 2029
Funded by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) under the EU’s Horizon Europe programme.