Nature is teeming with countless micro-organisms potentially of benefit to human and animal health. Lactic acid bacteria are among the best-known of those invisible helpers. But they are certainly not the only ones.

Vitamins are essential to healthy eating. However, because the majority of the healthy molecules are lost during the intake of food, only a fraction of their potential is actually absorbed. Berlin biotechnology company Organobalance has now developed a procedure to store and protect active compounds such as vitamins, trace elements and fatty acids in a natural way by using a coating of selected yeast strains. This natural active compound protection could be an alternative to conventional vitamins or drug capsules and make their production more sustainable.

Biochar has long been known in agriculture as a soil improver. The charred remains of plant biomass not only promote soil quality but also stimulate plant growth. In addition, its potential to compensate for the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, is immense. Researchers at the University of Tübingen have now colonised biochar made of wood with microfungi and developed a special substrate for horticulture, which promotes root growth in seedlings and makes them more resistant to fungal diseases.

Alginates act like a sponge. The biopolymer, which is obtained from brown algae, can absorb huge amounts of germs and liquid. Because of its gelling properties, it is in great demand for medical wound dressings. However, the quality of algae-based alginates varies, as they are highly sensitive to environmental influences.

Cultivating a new vine variety is a laborious undertaking. Even in the earliest stages, excessive heat, cold or fungal infestations can affect the plant. Usually the damage is noticeable only when it is already too late. Wine-makers have to invest a great deal of time in collecting data on characteristics such as colour, size and other phenotypic features of grapes. However, in the future they could save themselves that effort — thanks to the PHENObot.

Foodstuffs packaging has a variety of functions: The product has to be protected against humidity and oxidation, but also against mechanical stresses. Therefore containers or bags – whether of plastic or paper – are often coated with a special material consisting of several thin layers of different glued plastics to form a durable protection against external influences. To ensure that neither water vapour nor oxygen impair the quality of meat or cheese, up to seven layers are needed.

The German government has introduced a 'National Sustainability Strategy' with a view to promoting the development of bio-based products by means of funding programmes. Biodiesel or bioethanol as fuel for vehicles, and toys and plastic bags made of maize starch are just a few examples of many. But the path leading from an economy based on mineral oil to one based on sustainable bio-products is not without its obstacles.

Flax, also known as linseed, is a fibrous plant that was used as the basic raw material for textiles for hundreds of years, before being eclipsed by cotton. But for some time now, flax has been drawing attention again: Specifically, materials researchers are discovering new potential in it. The very stiffness and durability of the fibres that is something of a disadvantage for textiles is what the scientists are looking for in order to create new composite materials. "The plant has a thin stalk that is extremely rigid.

Methanol is one of the chemical industry’s most important source materials. It is colourless, flammable and smells of alcohol, and the starting point for manufacturing paints and varnishes as well as fuel. In 2015, the global demand for methanol was about 65 million tonnes. However, this compound of carbon monoxide, water and oxygen is produced mainly from finite resources such as mineral oil, natural gas or coal.