C2R-BioNut

C2R-BioNut is a joint Laboratory between Laboratoire de Chimie Agro-Industrial - CAI UMR 1010 INRA / INP-ENSIACET and Agronutrition Company. The main objective is to develop innovative solutions of biofertilization for Plant Nutrition towards sustainable agriculture. The stating date is on June 2014. The challenge is to maintain a high level of agricultural production while reducing the environmental impact due to changing climate in order to ensure food and nutrient security by sustainable ways. Three strategies are implemented: two dual-type strategies: Green Chemistry/Agronomy, Biotechnology/Agronomy and one triptych strategy based on green chemistry/biotechnology/agronomy. These multidisciplinary approaches aim to global synergistic effect on plant nutrition. ? Strategy I: Green Chemistry/Agronomy. Renewable carbon chemistry uses glycerol as a green carbon source. Glycerol is well known as the main bi-product of oleo chemical and biofuel industries. In our research program glycerol is the starting material used to investigate original green synthetic pathways to obtain multifunctional glycerol cyclocarbonates, monomers and oligomers (linear and / or hyperbranched) of glycerol cyclocarbonates moreover to obtain macromolecules dendrimers - like. These new biobased materials offer opportunities to develop magneto- rheological electro-rheological fluids; these characteristics are enhanced while interacting with macro-, meso- and micro-nutrients. We propose developing new technologies in particles organizational systems using specific structures molecules, hybrid, organic-inorganic, liquid to solid reversible state, evolving structures with adjuvantation properties compatible with agricultural inputs. These innovative synthons offer the opportunity to study the "Host / Guest" concept. By specific research on this concept we will carry out further investigations on complexation, adjuvantation, vectorization and controlled and slow-release of ingredients. ? Strategy II. Biotechnology/Agronomy and the control of sustainable agronomic inputs by the associative approach between cultivated Plant and beneficial microorganisms. The Biotechnology / Agronomy program of Agronutrition Company has specifically developed biofertilizers, which are based on three types of microorganisms, actinomycetes, azotobacters and mycorrhizae as innovative solutions. These biofertilizers promote plant growth for example by increasing the uptake of nutrients and production of phytohormones. Several key scientific and technological questions remain unresolved in this topic and require additional efforts for the adjuvantation, formulation, vectorization of bioactive compounds and microorganismes. The eeconomic development of these products is mainly hampered by the lack of this type of solutions. They could be largely resolved by technological advances in the chemistry of glycerol and renewable carbon. The research activities carried out within the Agronutrition’s biotechnology Lab contribute to the acquisition of new knowledge on the impact of these microorganisms on the plant physiology and crops yields and quality. These findings are subject to industrial valorization to optimize crops as sources of green and sustainable carbon. Strategy III. Green Chemistry/Biotechnology/Agronomy. Based on glycerol chemistry as a renewable source of carbon we suggest a second exploratory model to exalt synergies and specific molecular signatures to enhance plants behaviors to mitigate biotic and abiotic stress and external stimuli. In addition, membrane components (oleosomes/oleosins, phospholipids, sphingolipids, sterols ...) will be used due to their intrinsic techno - functional properties and their richness of native trace elements. These smart mimetic bioprocesses are another innovative and alternative ways to preserve healthier plants, with higher nutritional status that satisfies sustainability requirements.