Filipe Vinagre

Personal Introduction

Filipe is from Portugal, where he did his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Food Science with a strong focus on extraction processes, food chemistry, and biomass valorisation. His background is mainly in bio-compound extraction from algae and other biological matrices, as well as formulation design for food products such as vegan mayonnaise and gel-based systems. He also had training in nutrition, rheology, microbiology, and product development.

Within the GREENS project, he is based in Gothenburg, Sweden, as a doctoral student at the Swedish Algae Factory. His research focuses on diatoms, a special type of microalgae with highly structured silica cell walls (frustules). The aim of his PhD is to develop gentle and sustainable extraction strategies that recover both frustules and valuable biomolecules without compromising their quality.

Project Introduction

Test and validate the production of Algica for different applications and to optimize the process from harvesting to the end product. The rationale is to exchange synthetic silica for a sustainable product, a natural marine silica particle from a circular production, cleaning water through uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus while capturing carbon dioxide. Optimize the cleaning process from whole cell to Algica (minimize use of potentially harmful chemicals and replace them with environmentally friendly alternatives; ensure a high-quality homogenous product; establish a sustainable separation of biomass and Algica with minimum loss). Optimize growth conditions for diatom species ideal for different industrial applications.