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Duration
NTUA, UA & HCMR participants
From the study
Greece and EU contribution
The present research proposal aims at the implementation of a primary record for three of the most important marine alien species of the Greek seas.
Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin, 1789), Pterois miles (Bennett, 1828) and Fistularia commersonii (Rüpp, 1838), as well as in the study of the control of their population.
It aims to explore possible prospects for their sustainable management with a view to protecting and restoring marine biodiversity and aiming at their most efficient economic use.
There is considerable interest in its pharmaceutical application as an analgesic or as a substitute for botox in cosmetic formulations.
Levels of collagen in the human body begin to decrease naturally from the age of 25. Therefore, the intake of collagen through the diet becomes imperative.
Ω-3 and Ω-6 fatty acids have been characterized as containing fatty acids as the body cannot synthesize them on its own and their intake through the diet is necessary.
It is proposed to carry out an evaluation of the substances of high commercial interest contained in the specific species, such as toxins, collagen and omega-3 fatty acids, as well as the development of methods for their processing and utilization in cosmetology and food industry.
By highlighting new ways of exploitation, the present research project aims to put these marine invasive species in the focus of intensive fishing, which will consequently lead to the reduction of their population.
Through the evaluation of the substances with high commercial interest contained in the three invasive species, as well as the development of methods for their processing and exploitation in industry, this research project aspires to put the invasive species in the target of intensive fishing, which will consequently result to the control of their population. To that end, an integral part of this project is the experimental targeted fishing of the three species L. sceleratus, P. miles and F. commersonii using specially designed fishing gear. Among others, the following will be used and evaluated in terms of their efficiency for all species: a) the most common of the available and legally used fishing gear, i.e. static nets (wide and seine), benthic nets, longlines e.t.c.,b) modified benthic baits to examine their eligibility to catch L. sceleratus and c) a Long Stay Trap for Catching Lionfish.
Development of final food and cosmetic products with high functionality. Specifically, the development of juice products with the incorporation of omega-3 fatty acids and collagen will be held, creating an added value product with high commercial interest from particular market segments such us elderly and athlets. Moreover, cosmetic anti-ageing creams with the incorporation of toxins and collagen will be developed as botox alternatives.
Within the frame of ExplIAS project the exploitation of marine alien species Lagocephalus sceleratus, Pterois miles and Fistularia commersonii is examined via the efficient recovery of added value compounds with potential application on food and cosmetic products. The efficient recovery will be achieved through the optimization of proper protocols and application of state of the art extraction techniques. Finally, in order to cover the unpleasant odor of fish origin bioactive compounds and to protect them from adverse environmental conditions, their encapsulation in natural origin polymeric matrices is necessary. For the formulation of intermediate for food and cosmetic industry ingredients spray drying and electrohydrodynamic process will be evaluated as efficient encapsulation techniques.
Within the frame of ExplIAS project for all the final products a thorough market analysis will be conducted in order to evaluate the market penetration of these products and the revenues scenarios. In order to solidly claim that ExplIAS can turn the problem of invasive alien species into a "Win-Win” solution by bringing to the food and cosmetic sector new formulations based on unique products origin and also controlling the invasive fish stocks in the Mediterranean achieving positive ecological and economic impact.
Research project
ExplIAS: Design and piloting methods of commercial exploitation of marine alien species towards the contribution to the control of their population.
Co-funded by Greece and European Union. MIS code (5049912)
