The WaSeaBi partners are working on recovering flavouring agents from different aquatic side-streams including side-streams from mussel production.

The project partner Pescados Marcelino, which is a SME located in Galicia (north-west of Spain), farms and processes around 2,000 tons of excellent quality mussels on a yearly basis. This processing generates two main side-streams, one composed by the shells and the other composed by the seawater which the mussels contain that is released when they are cooked. In collaboration with AZTI both side-streams are being evaluated for their valorisation.

More specifically, Monica Gutierrez is leading the study of the recovery of the protein fraction from the liquid side-stream to transform it into a useful secondary raw material in a scheme of circular economy. Three techniques have been tested: Nanofiltration (NF), Diafiltration by nanofiltration (Dia-NF) and vacuum concentration (VC).

These processes will help to recover valuable fraction with a great potential as flavouring agent and to reduce the organic load of final wastewaters.

Photo: The three techniques have been tested: Nanofiltration (NF), Diafiltration by nanofiltration (Dia-NF) and vacuum concentration (VC).