Event: Tech Talks May 17

Circular Biorefining for High-value Chemicals from Salt-tolerant Plants

Halophytes are salt-tolerant plants that grow in saline soil. Historically, halophytes were used for medicinal purposes, however recently, halophytes have gained renewed interest as crops of the future. Halophytes show promise for the production of biomass for a range of applications, including:

1. Selective nutrients and proteins for food to be consumed by humans
2. Value-added chemicals that can be incorporated into animal feeds to lower the cost of fodder and enhance its quality
3. Phytochemicals that have been used traditionally to treat diseases and can now be selectively extracted from plants to treat patients suffering from chronic illness
4. Nutrient uptake from the soil, especially when used in combination with aquaculture systems, which tend to release significant quantities of underutilized nutrients in their effluent streams
5. Biofuels derived from the oil-rich seeds

This talk will showcase how halophyte biomass can be processed and utilized for various commercial applications.