Outline of the Project

Project Name

The Project for Development of the Duckweed Holobiont Resource Values towards Thailand BCG Economy

Country

Thailand

Date R/D Signed

August 6, 2021

Term of Cooperation

October 5, 2021 to October 4, 2026

Implementing Organization

Kasetsart University

Project Site

Kasetsart University

Background

Thailand has been responsible for reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions since its ratification of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1994 and the Kyoto Protocol in 2002. The importance of climate change adaptation measures was highly recognized in the country by experiencing a large-scale flood in Bangkok and the Chao Phraya River area in 2011, which caused economic and social damage. Following the recognition and the event, the 12th National Economic and Social Development Plan (FY 2017-2021) stated the need to strengthen capacity for planning climate change mitigation and adaptation measures, and at COP 21 in 2015, based on the Paris Agreement, the Government of Thailand set a target to reduce GHG emissions by 20% on BAU by 2030.

Furthermore, in 2015, the Thai Government formulated 'Thailand 4.0', a national vision to break out of the middle-income countries, in which the Government has promoted the development of agriculture and biotechnology, future food (food processing), biofuels and bio-chemicals, digital industries in order to realize a society that sustainably creates added value with the keywords 'innovation', 'productivity' and 'services trade'. In line with Thailand 4.0, the Thai Government is promoting the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economic Policy (2021-2026), which aims to combine an economy that can respond to global challenges with the enhancement of agribusiness market value through innovative technologies. Thailand has set a target to become a BCG economic leader and bio-hub in ASEAN by 2027 and is working to strengthen the competitiveness of its target industries through industry-government-academia collaboration.

Under these circumstances, in August 2019, the Government of Thailand requested the Government of Japan to provide Scientific and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development Program (SATREPS) as ‘The Project for Development of the Duckweed Holobiont Resource Values towards Thailand BCG Economy' to promote the transition to a low-carbon, recycling-oriented matured society. The natural resources to be researched in the project are Duckweeds, freshwater floating aquatic plants, which can grow with industrial wastewater as fertilizer, and have fast growth, high biomass productivity and CO2 fixation capacity. Duckweed has been commonly consumed as a food material in Thailand. Focusing on the symbiosis (holobiont) between the plant and the micro-organisms living inside and outside the plant, the project researches the growth rate and quality (protein, starch content and other components) of Duckweed which are greatly influenced by the type and number of co-existing micro-organisms, to maximize their potential and utilize them in diverse forms such as biofuels and environmentally friendly materials as alternatives to petroleum-based products. It can contribute to the promotion of the BCG economy by reducing energy consumption and GHG emissions without impeding economic growth.

The Overall Goal

Research activities at the Duckweed Holobiont Resource & Research Center (DHbRC) are continued and further developed, and the research activities will be applied to biological resources other than duckweed, so that the project's contribution to the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economy will be recognized.

Project Purpose

A research development base is established for the development of duckweed industrial technology and its practical use which contributes to Thailand BCG economy.

Outputs

1. Duckweed Holobiont Resource & Research Center (DHbRC) is established at Kasetsart University.
2. Duckweed holobiont collection is created
3. Technology base is developed for function enhancement of the duckweed holobiont
4. Technology base is developed for manufacturing valuables using duckweed as a raw material.
5. Low-carbon effect of the water purification system using duckweed holobiont is verified.
6. Support for duckweed production in farms and practical application of technology using duckweed are promoted.

Project Activities

1.	Establishment of DHbRC
1.1	To establish DHbRC equipped with the properties provided by Outputs 2 & 3
1.2	To construct the DHbRC homepage
1.3	To construct a duckweed plant factory in the DHbRC to produce duckweed holobiont biomass
1.4	DHbRC to provide duckweed holobiont biomass to other research groups
1.5	DHbRC to provide functions and services of a common laboratory to be used by other research groups
2.	Creation of the duckweed holobiont collection
2.1	To survey and collect duckweed holobionts (about 20 locations in 7 regions)
2.2	To isolate and preserve duckweeds and associated microorganisms
2.3	To characterize duckweeds and associated microorganisms
2.4	To analyze the microbial community associated with duckweeds
2.5	To create and provide to DHbRC a catalog of preserved individual duckweeds, associated microorganisms, associated microbial communities, and their DNA sequence data
3.	Analysis and control of symbiotic system
3.1	To select the potential duckweed holobionts and provide to Output 5
3.2	To analyze the mechanisms of interaction between duckweed and microorganisms
3.3	To develop the technologies enhancing the function of duckweed holobionts
3.4	To characterize duckweed holobionts using systems biology
3.5	To search for active substances from duckweed and associated microorganisms
4.	Development of practical use technology of duckweed To conduct the following activities in the fields of (1) biofuels, (2) bioplastics, (3) animal feed, and (4) functional foods.
(1)	Biofuels (Methane)
4.1	To cultivate duckweed for feeding bioreactors, including the measurement of water quality of a duckweed cultivation pond
4.2	To conduct experiments in methane fermentation at lab-scale
4.3	To conduct experiments in methane fermentation at bench-scale
(2)	Bioplastics
4.4	To prepare duckweed-based bioplastics
4.5	To test properties of duckweed-based bioplastics
4.6	To prepare duckweed-based bioplastic product prototype
4.7	To scale up the production of duckweed-based bioplastics using an industrial or pilot-scale machine
4.8	To produce the duckweed-based bioplastic product, which is appropriate for the selected final application, and to test its properties
4.9	To study the utilization of duckweed-based bioplastic product (field test)
4.10	To study the consumer acceptance on the duckweed-based bioplastic product
(3)	Animal feed
4.11	To determine chemical composition and digestible values of amino acids
4.12	To study effect of supplementation of duckweed on production performance and egg quality
4.13	To validate protein extraction and hydrolysis methods from duckweed and to study the biological activity of protein hydrolysate
4.14	To encapsulate duckweed protein hydrolysate and modulate protein release at the target specific site (lower gastrointestinal tract)
(4)	Functional foods
4.15	To develop active substances that are effective for good health
4.16	To develop functional foods containing duckweed active substances
5.	Duckweed water treatment system
5.1	To evaluate capacities of water purification, biomass production, and GHG-emission reduction of duckweed holobionts in various wastewaters 5 at the laboratory level
5.2	To develop, verify and optimize practical water purification and low-carbon effect of duckweed holobiont system (natural duckweed) at an on-site bench plant scale for selected wastewater
5.3	To develop, verify and optimize practical water purification and low-carbon effect of selected/suitable duckweed holobiont system (provided from Output 3) at an on-site bench plant scale for selected wastewater
5.4	To make a database/handbook (publication) for design and operation management of duckweed holobiont water purification system
6.	Social implementation
6.1	To support the production of duckweed in Thailand
6.2	To evaluate the carbon balance of the duckweed using technologies developed by research groups.
6.3	To elaborate on technical manuals and/or proposals regarding duckweed holobiont resource technologies developed by research groups.
6.4	To disseminate and publicize the duckweed holobiont values and developed technologies for social implementation

Inputs
[Japanese side]

1. Dispatch of Experts
   • Long-term expert (Project coordinator)
   • Short-term expert (Chief Researcher, Researchers advising research activities)
2. Counterpart training in Japan
   • Long-term trainee
   • Short-term trainee
3. Equipment
   Equipment necessary for the project

Inputs
[Thailand side]

1. Counterpart (CP) personnel:
   • Project Director, Deputy Project Director
   • Project Manager
   • Researchers
2. Office space and necessary equipment (including the duckweed holobiont resource & research center, DHbRC)
3. Local costs/Project running cost
   • Costs in research institutions
   • CP personnel expenses and expenses required for domestic transportation
   Operating expenses (utility and equipment managing expenses)