Line of action:

Marine ecosystems

Status:

Finalizado

Execution date:

2024

End date:

2026

Project web page:

https://www.programapleamar.es/proyectos/gelfish-produccion-de-aceites-estructurados-de-pescado-para-la-valorizacion-de-descartes

The general objective of this proposal focuses on the valorization of fish oil by obtaining oleogels stabilized with different hydrocolloids, some of them of marine origin (such as chitosan) and which can be obtained in valorization processes integrated with the production of the oleogels themselves and other high-value products. The production of this type of compounds allows, in addition to increasing the value of the oil, the conservation of its nutritional benefits in a new format more suitable for use in the canning industry, promoting a new alternative to make the best possible use of marine resources. All this with the ultimate aim of encouraging and promoting the increase in the levels of compliance with the landing obligation (OD) through the use of biomass that was discarded before the CFP. In addition, a techno-economic and environmental analysis of the process will be carried out, quantifying the circularity of the recovery of discards through the use of combined indicators, as well as the potential benefits for the artisanal fleets considered.

The project consists of the following specific objectives:

OE1: Identify and quantify the most discarded species that now have to arrive at port and do not have an outlet at the fish market, in order to evaluate processing/valorization strategies such as the one proposed in this project to obtain oleogels.

OE2: Study the lipid profile of these most discarded species, in terms of yield, degree of unsaturation and resistance to oxidation. In addition, in order to promote responsible management of marine resources, an analysis will be made of the possible contaminants (such as heavy metals) present in the most discarded species and that can be transferred and concentrated along the value chain.

OE3: Carry out a detailed study of the production of oleogels considering the technical, economic and environmental feasibility. Not only will the process itself be studied, but the previous process of extracting the oil will also be taken into account.

OE4: Analyse the scaling up of the value chain for the manufacture of proposed oleogels in order to carry out an efficient management of the actual quantities that currently arrive at port under the OD (and that may potentially arrive in the future by incentivising these processes to comply with them) and determine and quantify the impacts (environmental and socio-economic) at all levels for artisanal fishing fleets.

OE5: Dissemination of the results obtained throughout the project, with special attention to promoting and strengthening the interaction between fishermen, administrations and society in order to promote value-generating actions that encourage greater compliance with the OD, without forgetting the scientific community and the general public.

OE6: Correct technical and administrative implementation of the project in accordance with the objectives pursued and the bases of the Pleamar 2023 call.

The GELFISH project has made it possible to satisfactorily achieve the results foreseen in the initially proposed logical framework, as well as those included in its subsequent updates during its technical implementation, generating relevant advances in the recovery of discards and fishery by-products through the development of innovative solutions based on the obtaining and structuring of fish oils. In summary, the main results obtained are the following:

1. Generation of knowledge about the availability and potential for the valorization of discards.
The quantification of the biomass potentially available under different scenarios of compliance with the Landing Obligation (OD) has been carried out, as well as the identification of the species and fractions of by-product with the greatest interest for their valorization in the case study/pilot test of the artisanal purse seine fleet of Portosín. This result provides a solid basis for the design of new value chains in the artisanal fisheries sector. In quantitative terms, the following has been achieved:

a) Prepare a complete technical report on the availability of raw material from discards and by-products.
b) Identify four key species (sardines, mackerel, starling, boga) with potential for valorisation.
c) Define biomass generation scenarios based on compliance with the OD.

2. Development of optimized processes for obtaining fish oils.
An optimal process for the extraction of oils from previously discarded biomass and by-products of the processing industry has been designed and validated, including the analysis of yields and quality of the products obtained. This process is a key element for the valorisation of underused resources. All this has given rise to:

a) Development of an optimised process for extracting oils from discarded biomass.
b) Obtaining a validated flow diagram of the production process.
c) Generation of a complete compositional report (lipid profile and nutritional quality).

3. Development and validation of technology for the production of oleogels.
An optimized process for the production of oleogels from fish oils has been established, as well as a set of formulations based on different raw materials, fully characterized in terms of physical-chemical and functional properties. These oleogels represent an innovative ingredient with potential application in the food industry, especially in the canning sector. Quantitatively we can highlight the results of this point:

a) Development of an optimised oleogel production process.
b) Obtaining multiple formulations of oleogels (≥3–5 different systems depending on the oil and structuring agent).
c) Complete characterization of physical-chemical and functional properties (texture, stability, lipid profile).

4. Design of a biorefinery model adapted to the artisanal fishing sector.
The project has developed an integrated biorefinery approach that allows the simultaneous valorisation of different biomass fractions (oils, proteins and other compounds), maximising the use of marine resources and moving towards a circular economy model. Quantitatively, the following have been achieved:

a) Development of an integrated biorefinery model for simultaneous recovery of different fractions (oils, proteins, etc.).
b) Integration of different biomass streams (trunks, heads, skin and bones).

5. Techno-economic and environmental assessment of the proposed value chain.
A feasibility analysis has been carried out that demonstrates the technical, economic and environmental potential of the solutions developed, evidencing their applicability in real contexts and their contribution to the sustainability of the fishing sector. In quantitative terms, the implementation of GELFISH has achieved:

a) Preparation of a complete feasibility analysis (technical, economic and environmental).
b) Identification of potential benefits in terms of:

• Improvement of biomass use.
• Waste reduction.
• Generation of products with greater added value.

6. Generation of transfer and dissemination tools.
Multiple communication and transfer products have been developed (web, informative materials, conferences, scientific publications), which have allowed a wide dissemination of the results and their approach to the fishing sector, industry and society.

The results obtained in GELFISH have a clear vocation for continuity and applicability over time. Firstly, the processes developed (oil extraction and oleogel production) are transferable and scalable technologies, which can be adopted by the processing industry associated with the fishing sector. Likewise, the knowledge generated on biomass availability and value chain design allows laying the foundations for the implementation of biorefinery models in real environments, contributing to the reduction of discards and the improvement of the profitability of artisanal fleets.

This continuity is reinforced by the GELFISHPRO project, which will monitor the results achieved, broadening the focus towards new lines of valorisation (such as functional protein hydrolysates) and favouring their scaling up and effective transfer to the industrial fabric. In environmental and socio-economic terms, the results of GELFISH persistently contribute to:

• Reducing the impact of discards on marine ecosystems.
• The promotion of the circular economy in the fishing sector.
• The generation of new business opportunities based on high value-added products