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Project name: Maximising sustainability: tailoring cellulolytic enzyme cocktails for high-value nanocellulose and fermentable sugar extraction from agro-waste

Project Acronym: NANOCELLMAX

Project type (funder/program): Proof-of-Concept Program within the Science Fund (“PoC Program”)

Project no.: 14884

Duration: 1.06.2024. – 31.05.2025.

Project website:       

Participating Scientific Research Organizations:

  • University of Belgrade - Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy (ICTM) – lead SRO

Principal investigator: Dr. Marinela Šokarda Slavić, Senior Research Associate, ICTM

Team members:

  1. Prof. Dr. Zoran Vujčić, Full Professor, UBCF
  2. Dr. Aleksandra Margetić, Senior Research Associate, ICTM
  3. Marina Ristović, Junior Research Assistant, ICTM
  4. Marija Pavlović, Junior Research Assistant, ICTM

The project focused on utilising bacterial enzymes to convert agricultural waste, specifically apple peels, into valuable nanocellulose (NC) and fermentable sugar while addressing environmental concerns associated with waste disposal. The project aims to develop a unique enzyme cocktail, optimise the breakdown of non-cellulosic polysaccharides, and investigate critical factors for selective NC production. Apple waste is a notable component of agro-waste in Serbia, known for its fruit production. Biotechnology transforms apple peel waste into valuable biobased products, primarily NC, suitable for various applications. Additionally, fermentable sugars are obtained as by-products for second-generation ethanol production. NC is highly appealing due to its versatile properties, including customisable surface chemistry and physical characteristics. Moreover, it is an inherently renewable, non-toxic, and biodegradable material. With a growing global market, NC is used in packaging, coating, medical applications, and cosmetics. Europe is a significant player in this market, and the project's innovative enzymatic approach presents a promising avenue for further research and development. Conventional methods for NC extraction involve complex pre-treatments and toxic chemicals. To overcome these challenges, the project focuses on developing an eco-friendly and cost-effective enzymatic extraction technique using a streamlined enzyme cocktail.