LIBBIO is a European research project on Andes Lupin (Lupinus mutabilis, tarwi) cropping in marginal lands for enhanced bio economy.
Lupin has the ability to fix nitrogen, mobilise soil phosphate and has low nutritional requirements for cultivation. Varieties will be chosen that give high yield of green silage or high yield of seeds which contain more than 20% oil, more than 40% protein and the remaining materials are carbohydrates, mainly oligosaccharides characterized as “prebiotics”.
Andes lupin will be grown as a summer crop in north and central Europe and as winter crop in Mediterranean conditions. Pre-industrial processing is developed and optimized for the lupin, properties of the different fractions analysed, their advantage for different industrial use evaluated, and a few products developed as an example. Social and environmental impact will be evaluated as well as techno-economic viability and effect on farm and biorefinery income.
The project started on 1st October 2016 and was expected to finish on 30th September 2020. The project time has been extended till March 2021 because of COVID-19 related delays.
The estimated project cost is 5 million euro.
NEWS
First registration of Andean lupin in Europe
Registration of the first Andean lupin in Europe has now been approved. The variety is Cotopaxi from the seed company Vandinter Semo. See the following press release: COTOPAXI – Andean Lupin European breeder success
Publication on Andean lupin performance in a Mediterranean climate
LIBBIO partners have published a reviewed article on Andean lupin performance in a Mediterranean climate.
Read the full article here: Andean Lupin Phenology and Agronomic Performance under Different Planting Dates in a Mediterranean Climate
LIBBIO success story
Both EC and BBI JU (Bio-based Industry Joint Undertaken) have now published a success story on LIBBIO. This is an honour for the LIBBIO consortium. BBI has also communicated it on social media. See the following:
https://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?artid=52805
https://www.bbi-europe.eu/new-crop-provide-bio-based-products-poorest-soils
On social media
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6686896194137944064
State and Progress of Andean Lupin Cultivation in Europe: A Review
LIBBIO partners have published a review article on Andean lupin cultivation in an open access.
Read the full article here https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/10/7/1038
Publication on Andean lupin breeding: Response to anthracnose in a tarwi (Lupinus mutabilis) collection is influenced by anthocyanin pigmentation
LIBBIO partners have published a reviewed article on Andean lupin breeding in an open access.
Read the full article here https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/9/5/583
BBI´s Project day and Stakeholder Forum
BBI´s Project day and Stakeholder Forum were held on 3-4th Dec. 2019, giving excellent overview of the progress in the biobased industry. LBBIO was presented with booths and on stage focusing on healthy food and how to deal with the foreseen global population of 10 billion by 2050.

Prof. Rob van Haren, LIBBIO technical manager and Páll Árnason, LIBBIO coordinator, in the project booths.
Publication on Andean lupin breeding: Genetics and Breeding of Lupinus mutabilis: An Emerging Protein Crop
LIBBIO partners have published a reviewed article on Andean lupin breeding in an open access.
Read the full article here https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2019.01385/full
EC and BBI have selected LIBBIO for R&I Days 2019 EXPO: SCIENCE IS WONDERFUL!
EC has selected LIBBIO and some 30 other excellent projects as showcases on the exhibition “Science is wonderful” in Brussels 25-26th September 2019. EC´s criteria was that the research would reach the general public and produce a WOW effect among attendees, both families and stakeholders. Prof. Rob van Haren (Hanze University of Applied Science) and Irmgard Starmann (Color & Brain BV) will present LIBBIO at the event.
Two new LIBBIO brochures and field demo in Germany
Two new LIBBIO brochures have been prepared for distribution on ECO-field days in Kassel, Germany 3-4th July 2019 where LIBBIO will be presented with a field and booths. The brochures are available under “Publications” on this web.