IPMA, Portugal

DivAV (Division of Aquaculture, Valorisation and Bioprospecting) is a division of IPMA that is dedicated to carrying out research, technological development, innovation, services and dissemination activities with the stakeholders of the value chain within the sea, covering precisely three fundamental areas: aquaculture; valorization of underutilized resources; and the biochemical bioprospecting of undervalued marine resources.
  

In this context, a primary objective is the sustainable exploitation of marine resources, as well as the production, improvement, and transformation of high quality products from the sea.

DivAV conducts pre-competitive research and experimental development on the use of products from the sea and aquaculture, monitoring and quality assurance and support to fishermen and the fish and aquaculture industry, as well as being an active part in the transfer of technology to the sector.

The research group has experience in nutrition, toxicology, food safety, and risk-benefit assessment, as well as in the identification, quantification and isolation of bioactive compounds in diverse marine resources, ranging from fish to macroalgae and microalgae and also comprising sea urchins, sea cucumbers, tunicates, and other taxonomic groups of organisms.

Moreover, this research effort is also directed to the assessment of bioaccessibility/bioavailability of essential nutrients, bioactive substances, and contaminants in marine products.

One aspect that is inseparable from DivAV’s mission is the concern and assessment of the impact on the health and well-being of consumers, paying attention to an inclusive perspective of all age cohorts and population groups. Besides, DivAV also has deep experience in using biotechnological processes and innovative technologies to extract and isolate biomolecules with various applications and to obtain new nutritious marine products.

All this research and innovation effort is supported by different national and international projects of different types and also complemented by close cooperation with the business sector of the sea as well as by a wide range of promotional activities with relevant institutions, industry, and the general public.