Programme: Recovery and Resilience Plan

The aim of the project proposal is the development (up to TRL-7) of a phytoproduct based on a standardized biotechnologically produced extract from in vitro cultures of Aesculus hippocastanum L (horse chestnut) with potential anti-rheumatoid activity. To enhance the beneficial effect of horse chestnut extract, it is planned to enrich it with Rosa canina L (rosehip) fruit extract. The overall technology has the potential to be protected by a patent. In order to reach the development of TRL-7, some key activities are planned, such as conducting independent research on the biotechnological preparation of a standardized extract of cell suspension of horse chestnut by cultivation in a bioreactor; technological studies to validate the cultivation process; prototype research aimed at the creation of a standardized phytoproduct in line with the legal laws for food additives. This implies the use of a multidisciplinary approach, requiring the conduct of phytochemical, biotechnological, biological, toxicological and immunological studies, and its implementation will be carried out by two scientific laboratories from the Stefan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology - BAS: Laboratory of Eukaryotic Cell Biology and Laboratory of Immunohistochemistry and Immunopathology.
	In the long term, the establishment of this sustainable biotechnological platform for the development of high value-added products may be applicable to in vitro cultures of other plant species. Project performance indicators include: two phytoproducts with TRL-7, representing: 1) a standardized phytopreparation from extracts of the fruits of A. hippocastanum and R. canina plants and 2) a standardized phytopreparation from extracts of A. hippocastanum cell suspension and fruits of R. canina; two open access scientific publications in Q1/Q2 category publications; one patent application for intellectual property protection.