As part of the Ecoinvent project, bioprocess solutions for winery waste management will be explored through its use as raw material in the production of microbiological preparations for sustainable agricultural practices in vineyards. Project activities will include the development of two minimum viable products (MVPs): (1) a liquid MVP, based on the use of selected winery wastewater, which will be tested as a potential biofungicide against Botrytis cinerea, the cause of grapevine gray rot, as well as a starter culture for production (2) solid MVP, based on the use of solid winery waste - grape pomace, with the aim of applying it as an organic fertilizer/soil improver. The PoC project will also define bioprocess solutions for their production at laboratory level (TRL3), which will be used as a basis for further scaling up the bioprocess with the aim of reaching higher levels of technological readiness. The EcoInvent project should contribute to the sustainability of the agricultural and industrial cycle in wine production through the introduction of environmentally acceptable alternatives to agrochemicals, and through the reuse of winery effluents in accordance with the principles of the circular economy, contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, as well as the sustainability goals of the European Union defined for the period until 2030.

Team members: Ivana Danilov, Ph.D., Jovana Grahovac, Ph.D., Vanja Vlajkov, Ph.D., Mila Grahovac, Ph.D., associate professor, Marta Lot, Ph.D.