FARE
Biomass – Lignocellulose – Biotechnologies – Biorefinery – Bio-based materials – Biogeochemical cycles – Environment
The Component presentation
The FARE unit has a dual scientific mission in the fields of lignocellulosic resource utilization and their fate in soils.
FARE’s work on lignocellulosic resources is based on acquiring fundamental knowledge about the formation and organization of secondary plant cell walls. The fractionation and transformation of this material involve enzymatic, chemical, and/or physical methodologies. The main product types and intended uses include fibers (homogeneous or composite materials), synthons (C6 and C5 sugars), and fermentation of these sugars (ethanol fuel).
From an environmental perspective, FARE’s research focuses on the decomposition factors of lignocellulosic biomasses (residues and plant litter) in order to predict their decomposition in soils and assess the impact on biogeochemical cycles (particularly carbon and nitrogen cycles).
Research areas
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Properties of Plant Biomass and Bio-based Products
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Efficiency of Processes and Transformation Methods
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Modeling of Transformations
Microscopy & Physiochemistry
The chemical and biochemical analysis of fractions, residues, and plant cell wall polymers is carried out using chromatography, spectroscopy (UV, IR, fluorescence, ellipsometry, SPR), light scattering, or water sorption (DVS). These techniques allow the characterization of the physicochemical properties of native assemblies (fiber, tissue) or bioinspired ones (film, gel). Microscopy techniques (fluorescence confocal with FRAP, FRET, FLIM techniques) enable the study of diffusion, interaction, and accessibility within plant samples.
Biogeochemistry
Biogeochemistry: Technical means to i) track the dynamics of nitrogen, carbon, and micro-organisms in soil, ii) quantify and functionally characterize microbial communities, iii) characterize soil water properties, and iv) measure greenhouse gas emissions such as CO2 and N2O during the decomposition of plant litter in soils or on soil surfaces (mulch).
Biotechnologies
Microbiology-Fermentation: Cultures of aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms; fermentation management in liquid and solid media; bioproduction of enzymes and microbial secondary metabolites; Molecular Biology: cloning, heterologous expression in bacteria and yeast, directed mutagenesis, genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic analysis, and bioinformatics; Biocatalysis: production and purification, biocatalytic reactions, enzymatic fractionation of plant biomass into sugars, enzymatic synthesis, bioelectrocatalysis...
Composite Materials
The tools and techniques employed enable the design, formulation, and characterization of bio-based composite materials, using various plant constituents (polymers and plant fibers). The formulation process utilizes extrusion tools (single and twin-screw extruders), an internal mixer (batch), a mini-injection press, and a platen press. Characterization is carried out using complementary approaches: rheology, thermal and thermomechanical analysis (TGA, DMA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), mechanical properties through tensile and microtensile testing in a controlled environment, morphological analysis, and profilometry.
Success stories - VALBRAN
The Valbran project aims to develop innovative and environmentally friendly valorization pathways for wheat bran — an agricultural co-product from milling and biorefineries. The project focuses on designing novel biotechnological and green chemistry processes to produce various surface-active molecules derived from wheat bran.
A wide range of applications is targeted, including cosmetics, detergents, and crop protection products. The transformation processes will initially be developed at the laboratory scale, with the most promising ones scaled up to pilot level. This approach will enable economic and environmental impact assessments of the developed processes.