As part of ReLEAF’s Work Package 1, project partner Aeris is taking steps toward converting agri-food residues from partner Anecoop into valuable biostimulants. The goal is to use Solid-State Fermentation (SSF) to biotransform mixed food waste, such as fruit and vegetable residues, into compounds like indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). This process results in a stabilized organic matter with potential biostimulant properties.
To support this work, Aeris has built a 22-litre SSF reactor for upscaling. This system allows the full conversion of organic waste into fermented solids with biostimulant potential and will help identify the best operating conditions for future larger-scale production.
This week, the team completed the preparation and commissioning of the 22-litre packed-bed reactor and have started the first fermentation trials. The current work focuses on solid-state fermentation of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) using Trichoderma harzianum (a beneficial fungus widely used in agriculture for its plant-growth-promoting and biocontrol properties) to produce biostimulants at pilot scale. These activities show how ReLEAF can turn food waste streams into sustainable, high-value agricultural products.
As the pilot-scale fermentation moves forward, we look forward to seeing the first results and gaining new insights into how these innovative processes can contribute to more sustainable and circular agricultural practices.