An international conference on food and applied bioscience was held in Chiang Mai, Thailand, February 6-7.

The conference, hosted by Chiang Mai University and Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology (QIBEBT) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, offered an opportunity for scholars, technicians and graduate students to communicate on developments in food science and biotechnology.

Six experts from New Zealand, Croatia, Singapore, and Malaysia were invited to make keynote speeches to more than 300 attendees during the two-day event.

The QIBEBT signs a cooperation agreement with Chiang Mai University to build the green biotechnology center in November 2018 in Qingdao, Shandong province. [IMAGE: QINGDAO INSTITUTE OF BIOENERGY AND BIOPROCESS TECHNOLOGY (QIBEBT), CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES]

The event was one of the cooperation projects of the green biotechnology center, which was built by the two host parties. It aimed to further expand their communication and deepen cooperation in green biotechnology.

The institute and the university have undertaken two research projects supported by the governments of their respective countries, conducted frequent exchanges of young scientific and technological talents and offered training programs for graduate students since the signing of the framework cooperation agreement in 2014 and the joint establishment of the green biotechnology center in 2018.

Staff members of the QIBEBT and Chiang Mai University discuss the construction of a system producing ethanol from longan sugar in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2018. [IMAGE: QINGDAO INSTITUTE OF BIOENERGY AND BIOPROCESS TECHNOLOGY (QIBEBT), CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES]

Thailand has abundant biomass resources, especially of oil and waste, and QIBEBT’s main research focuses on high value utilization of biomass resources.

With the support of Thai parties, the QIBEBT has built a 100-ton cellulosic ethanol-medium scale plot system and China's largest production line of microalgae astaxanthin, an example of outstanding cooperation between the institute and its partners in Thailand.

The two projects will also help the institute promote its technologies in the countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Source: Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology (QIBEBT),

Chinese Academy of Sciences