Optimal use and valorization of biomass streams from Cichorium

'The overall aim of the CichOpt project is to develop innovative biorefinery processing schemes to turn different underutilized Cichorium biomass streams (multi-input) into fractions with high added value which can be used in a wide range of applications, ranging from food & drink applications over cosmetics to biomaterials (multi-output). We focus on four different crops in the Cichorium genus which are of major economic importance in Europe: industrial chicory grown for inulin extraction, and Belgian endive, Radicchio rosso and Endive, all three grown as leaf vegetables. The biomass from these crops is especially interesting as a feedstock for the bio-economy because they are rich in the following valuable target compounds: dietary fibers (DF) and free sugars (both relevant for food applications, materials), and the bioactive sesquiterpene lactones (SL) and polyphenols (PP) (relevant for food, beverages, cosmetic applications).