ERA-NET: (FORSTERK) Quality assessments and preservation of cultivated seaweed (QualiSea_Diss)

The aim of the QuliaSea_Diss project has been to expand the dissemination of results from the ERA BlueBio project "QualiSea" (Enhancing and controlling the quality of cultivated seaweeds for large-scale production and a sustainable supply chain to food and feed markets). The aims of QualiSea comprised development of cost- and energy efficient preservation methods for the biomass, and to reveal factors that affect the stability and quality of fresh biomass. Linked to this, was assessment of rapid methods and instrumentation for characterisation of the biomass quality, and for monitoring of the biomass. Since parts of the results have a high applied and practical impact for the seaweed farmers, the intention of QualiSea-Diss was to share and disseminate these in a format directly targeting the seaweed industry. Two short handbooks (extended factsheets) have been prepared. The titles are "Cultivated brown algae - maintaining and monitoring biomass quality" and "Preservation of cultivated brown algae". The content includes a short general background and theory, project results, examples of use of equipment, conclusions and recommendations. The lengths are 8 and 10 pages, respectively, with text, figures/illustrations, references and recommended literature. The handbooks will be uploaded on the project partners' web sites, and linked from the QualiSea-project's and other relevant web sites.

QualiSea has produced results that are directly applicable for the seaweed industry. QualiSea_Diss will enhance the impact QualiSea by a targeted communication and dissemination of these results towards the seaweed industry.

In QualiSea, factors that affect the stability and quality of fresh biomass are studied, and methods for characterisation of fresh and stored biomass are assessed, with the aim to develop cost- and energy efficient preservation methods for the biomass. Since the proposal was prepared, the challenges that the project aims to solve, has become even more urgent for the seaweed farmers. Since parts of the results from the QualiSea project have a high applied and practical impact for the seaweed farmers, these results should be shared and disseminated in a targeted way. QualiSea_Diss will significantly expand the dissemination of the applied aspects of the project. Specifically, we will produce two handbooks that will contain recommendations and practical protocols for A) Use of sensors, instrumentation, and rapid analytical methods for assessing the biomass composition and quality; and B) Choice of preservation methods.