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MAAVi Innovation Center
The largest Research Center for biopesticides, probiotics and prebiotics in Europe, focused on the study of medical Cannabis
The largest Research Center for biopesticides, probiotics and prebiotics in Europe, focused on the study of medical Cannabis
Biotechnology Applied to Medical Cannabis
Almería takes the leading role in science with the largest Research Center on biopesticides, prebiotics, and probiotics in Europe. These forefront facilities located in Vícar, count with more than 5,000 square meters focused on R&D, allowing us to be more competitive and to reach our ultimate goal: to unseat the use of synthetic chemicals and offer superior natural solutions with higher efficacy.
The Research Center has received financial support from the Ministry of Economy, the Junta de Andalucía (Andalusian Regional Government), through the IDEA Agency, and the Vícar City Council with funds from the European Union.
The time to change has arrived, and we are proud to provide more employment, more wealth, more research and more health for our province, in order to bequeath the best legacy possible to future generations.
Area with over 5,000 square meters.
More than 2,000 square meters of greenhouses, of which 400 square meters are dedicated to the study of medical Cannabis.
More than 20 full-time researchers.
Collaborations with public and private centers and organizations.
Cutting-edge equipment.
The Research Center relies on 4 large areas of work: botany, microbiology, microalgae and green chemistry. The trials are conducted in a greenhouse which is over 2,000 square meters and counts with an area for outdoor crops.
Within the greenhouse, we carry out trials geared toward the development of specific solutions for the cultivation of medical Cannabis. The Research Center has facilities equipped with the latest technology to develop the crop year round, modifying the photoperiod, controlling the temperature and fertilization to the very last detail.
The main objective is to obtain solutions, through research, to get realistic results under any conditions and types of production.
Cutting-Edge Technology for Medical Cannabis Research.
All this technology and research is transferred to the study of medical Cannabis aiming to achieve a residue-free, high-yield crop, eliciting the production of cannabinoids of interest.
Our research areas
The largest Research Center for biopesticides, probiotics and prebiotics in Europe, focused on the study of medical Cannabis
Microalgae Cultivation Area
Microalgae Cultivation Area
- Recognition of new strains with biopesticide, biostimulant or symbiotic activity.
- Maintenance of a collection of our own cultures.
- Selection of growing mediums.
- Optimization of growth conditions.
- Acquisition of starters for large-scale inoculation.
- Collection of small samples of biomass to use in trials and determine its composition.
Technological equipment:
- PHOTOBIOREACTORS.
- TUBULAR REACTORS of 140 L.
- LAMINAR FLOW CABINET.
Microbiology Area
Microbiology Area
- Recognition of new strains with biopesticide, biostimulant or symbiotic activities.
- Maintenance of a collection of our own cultures.
- Trial on antibiotic-activity of plant extracts obtained from fermentation and of algal origin.
Technological Equipment:
- FERMENTATORS.
- ORBITAL SHAKER.
- SPECTROPHOTOMETER.
- FLOW CABIN.
Cellular Cultivation Area
Cellular Cultivation Area
- Trials on mammal cells.
- In vitro toxicity.
- Bio-prevention: studies that demonstrate the healthy activity of plants grown in synergy with certain microorganisms, with the application of biostimulant, among others.
Technological Equipment:
- LAMINAR FLOW CABINET.
- MICROTITER PLATE READER.
- INVERTED MICROSCOPE.
- CULTIVATION STOVE.
Fermentation Area
Fermentation Area
- Study of cultivation conditions of all types of microorganisms.
- Selection of growth substrates.
- Production of secondary metabolites applicable to agriculture.
Analytical Area
Analytical Area
- Elucidation of new active molecules.
- Quality monitoring of extracts from botany, microalgae and microbial fermentations.
Technological Equipment:
- CHROMATOGRAPHY HPLC SEMIPREPARATIVA.
- HPLC CHROMATOGRAPHY COUPLED TO MASSES.
- HPLC ANALYTICAL CHROMATOGRAPHY.
- CHROMATOGRAPHY OF GASES COUPLED TO MASSES.
- FLASH CHROMATOGRAPHY UNIT.
- VORTEX
Formulation Area
Formulation Area
- Stabilization trials of active constituents.
- Physical-chemical stability studies over time.
- Preparation of trial samples for use in greenhouses and fields.
Extractions Area I
Extractions Area I
- Sample classification.
- Grinding and conditioning of biological material.
- Pre-treatment of plant material, partial hydrolysis, among others.
Extractions Area II
Extractions Area II
- Extraction trials of various mother cultures.
- Concentration, separation of fractions.
- Fractions generation for bioguiding studies.
Technological Equipment:
- LUPE LAMP.
- CLEVENGER DISTILLATION EQUIPMENT.
- SOXHLET EXTRACTION EQUIPMENT
- EXTRACTION SYSTEM.
- ROTAVAPOR.
- CENTRIFUGAL.
- CHAMBER GROWTH 25ºC.
Phytotrons Area
Phytotrons Area
- Small scale development of trials on plants in fully controlled conditions, being able to reproduce the conditions of any part of the world; as well as simulating situations of extreme stress.
- Ability to emulate extreme climates, from -5°C to 35°C.
- Humidity levels from 0% to 100%.
- Controlled photoperiod.
Technological equipment:
- PHYTOTRONS.
Pests Area
Pests Area
- Breeding and maintenance of confined pests.
- Activity trials: Repellency and Lethality.
- Numerous models: Suckers, defoliators, nematodes, bacteria, soil fungi, aerial fungi, among others.
Pilot Plant-Photobioreactor Area
Pilot Plant-Photobioreactor Area
- Testing at a semi-industrial level the most suitable strategy to produce each type of microalgae.
- Previous steps before industrial scaling.
Industrial Fermentation Area
Industrial Fermentation Area
- Industrial level scaling of developments previously obtained in laboratory.
- Obtainment of biomass or supernatants with biopesticide, antifungal, biostimulans activity, among others.
- Production of starters in large volumes for large-scale fermentations in solid substrate.
Industrial Extraction and Concentration Area
Industrial Extraction and Concentration Area
- Large scale extraction of active molecules from vegetal, microbial or algae origin.
- Low temperature concentration of the extractions carried-out or from microbial cultivation media.
Probiotic Manufacturing Area
Probiotic Manufacturing Area
- Sterile growth medium manufacturing area.
- Sterile inoculation area.
- Clean, growth and ripening area under controlled conditions.
- Yield capacity of over 500,000 liters year.
Greenhouse Area
Greenhouse Area
- Implementation of several trials on healthy and diseased plants.
- Controlled photoperiod.