Short Description

The Laboratory of Applied Microbiology & Biotechnology of the Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics of Democritus University of Thrace is located in Alexandroupolis. The laboratory is focusing on food and environmental biotechnology, as well as molecular nutrition, aiming at the:

  • Design and development of bioprocesses and functional foods with potential beneficial effects on health, such as probiotics and prebiotics, natural products with positive effects and pharmaceutical foods,
  • Evaluation of the quality and nutritional value of novel foods or foods produced by innovative processes, and
  • Production of high value-added products through exploitation of various wastes from the agrifood industry.
  • At the same time, the appropriate equipment and infrastructure for a wide range of microbiological, chemical, and molecular analyses on biological samples is available.

Given that the field of Agri-food and Circular Bioeconomy represents a revolutionary area of study, the Laboratory of Applied Microbiology & Biotechnology of the Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics at Democritus University of Thrace focuses on:
The isolation, identification, and evaluation of the technological characteristics and health-promoting properties of new wild-type microorganisms;
The utilization of microbial strains of Greek origin as starter cultures for the food industry, suitable for the production of final products with distinct quality characteristics;
The design and development of bioprocesses, as well as functional ingredients and foods with potential health benefits, such as probiotics and prebiotics, natural products with beneficial properties, nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, etc;
The assessment of the quality and nutritional value of new foods or foods produced through innovative processes;
The study of the microbiome of complex microbial communities in various ecosystems; and
The production of high added-value products through the valorization of agri-food industry by-products.
As a result, the specific objectives of the Laboratory of Applied Microbiology & Biotechnology of the Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics at Democritus University of Thrace are:
(a) To conduct cutting-edge research and generate new knowledge on microbial resource applications;
(b) To leverage research data on microbial resources by providing innovative products and services that promote sustainability in the fields of agri-food, environment, bioeconomy, and health;
(c) To establish a modern research infrastructure that supports an open-access and open-use model;
(d) To strengthen close collaboration between academia and industry within the framework of the “knowledge triangle”, encouraging interdisciplinary cooperation and leading to innovative approaches and solutions at the intersection of agri-food, environment, bioeconomy, and health, as well as other scientific fields; and
(e) To offer users from academia, the food industry, and public laboratories access to a portfolio of advanced services, expertise, training, and educational activities.

The Laboratory of Applied Microbiology & Biotechnology offers the following services:
Study of food safety and quality (microbiological analyses, pathogen screening, determination of acidity, sugars, organic fatty acids and alcohols, profile of volatiles in foods, etc)
Determination of the chemical composition of natural products
Evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of natural products for potential use as bio-preservatives
Detection and quantitative determination of pesticides and toxins in food products
Isolation, identification, and characterization of indigenous yeasts and malolactic bacteria from Greek vineyards and assessment of technological characteristics
Isolation, identification, and assessment of technological characteristics and health-promoting properties of novel microbial strains
Design and development of innovative functional food products
Optimization of microbial cultures production processes
Workshops on basic and advanced chromatography methodologies for food analysis

Action: Erasmus+ KA220-HED – Cooperation partnerships in higher education. Project title: Novel Biotechnological Solutions in Climate Change Mitigation – BIOSHIELD. Source of funding: European Union (Erasmus) Project Budget: 250.000,00€. DUTH Budget: 46.590,00€. Starting/ending dates: October 2024 – September 2026. Coordinator: Kourkoutas, Y.
Emblematic Action: Establishment of National Research Networks in the framework of the Hellenic General Secretariat of Research and Innovation (GSRI). Project title: Emblematic Action for Sustainable AgriFood Systems – Applied Research, Infrastructure Development and Services for the Sustainability of the Sector – Sus.AgriFood. Source of funding: Hellenic General Secretariat of Research and Innovation (GSRI). Budget: 2.900.000,00€. Starting/ending dates: April 2024 – December 2025. DUTH Coordinator: Kourkoutas, Y.
Action: KA220-HED – Cooperation partnerships in higher education. Project title: Bridging the Gap Between Biotechnology and Industry: Integrating Design Thinking and Flipped Learning – BIOTE(A)CH. Source of funding: European Union (Erasmus). DUTH Budget: 40.530,00€. Starting/ending dates: December 2022 – December 2024. DUTH Coordinator: Kourkoutas, Y.
Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (Η.F.R.I.). Action: 1st Call for proposals for research projects for the support of Faculty members and Researchers working in the Greek Universities and Research Centers and the procurement of strategic research equipment. Project title: BioActiveScreen Research Infrastructure in Northern Greece: Identification of endemic aromatic plant-derived bioactive compounds of high-added value. Source of funding: Η.F.R.I. Budget: 1.440.000,00€. Starting/ending dates: June 2021 – December 2024.
Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (Η.F.R.I.). Action: 1st Call of H.F.R.I. research projects for the support of Faculty Members (DEP) and Researchers, and the procurement high-value research equipment. Project title: Innovative immobilized functional starter cultures: Characterization and application in production of novel foods with health-promoting potential using agricultural wastes-iFUNcultures. Source of funding: Η.F.R.I. Budget: 170.000,00€. Starting/ending dates: January 2020 – January 2024. Scientific coordinator: Kourkoutas, Y.
Action: Research-Create-Innovate. Project title: Valorization of Drama wine identity through a holistic characterization of the natural and microbial environment-Drama_Terroir (Τ2ΕΔΚ-02974). Source of funding: EYDE-ETAK and private industrial funds (KTIMA TEXNI OINOU, ΝΙΚΟΣ LAZARIDIS S.A., KTIMA COSTA LAZARIDI S.A., ΙΝΝΟVINO IKE, KTIMA PAVLIDIS S.A., and OINOGENESIS S.A.). Budget: 995.087,72€. Starting/ending dates: July 2021 – November 2023.
Operational Program: Support of Regional Excellence (EPAnEK). Project title: FOODBIOMES: Infrastructure of Microbiome Applications in Food Systems. Source of funding: Regional Excellence in R & D Infrastructures, Hellenic General Secretariat of Research and Innovation (GSRI). Budget: 3.943.705,00€. Starting/ending dates: November 2020 – August 2023. Coordinator: Kourkoutas, Υ.
Operational Program: Support of Regional Excellence (EPAnEK). Project title: Risk & Resilience Assessment Center (RiskAC). Source of funding: Regional Excellence in R & D Infrastructures, Hellenic General Secretariat of Research and Innovation (GSRI). Budget: 1.999.827,40€. Starting/ending dates: November 2020 – August 2023.
Operational Program: Support of Regional Excellence (EPAnEK). Project title: AGRO4+: Holistic Approach to Agriculture 4.0 for new farmers. Source of funding: Regional Excellence in R & D Infrastructures, Hellenic General Secretariat of Research and Innovation (GSRI). Budget: 3.161.137,92€. Starting/ending dates: November 2020 – August 2023.
National action: Investment Plans of Innovation, Research and Development of the Agrifood sector. Project title: Development innovative probiotic KEFIR products exploiting the microbial diversity of the EMTh Region-Pinnokefir. Source of funding: Region of East Macedonia & Thrace and private industrial funds (Agricultural and Livingston Cooperative of Prosotsani ”MENOIKIO”). Budget: 157.900,00€ (cost of subcontractor: 42.500,00€). Starting/ending dates: June 2020 – June 2023. Coordinator: Meleneklis, V. Subcontractor coordinator: Kourkoutas, Υ.
National action: Investment Plans of Innovation, Research and Development of the Agrifood sector. Project title: Exploitation of agro-industrial by-products for production of organic compost soil-AgroWasteCompost. Source of funding: Region of East Macedonia & Thrace and private industrial funds (EVRITIKA KELARIA S.A.). Budget: 127.835,50€ (cost of subcontractor: 50.130,00€). Starting/ending dates: December 2019 – March 2023. Subcontractor coordinator: Y. Kourkoutas.
National action: Investment Plans of Innovation, Research and Development of the Agrifood sector. Project title: Exploitation of the microbial terroir of “Pavlidis Winery” for the promotion of the distinct quality characteristics of the local wines-Pavlidis Terroir. Source of funding: Region of East Macedonia & Thrace and private industrial funds (Ktima Pavlidis S.A.). Budget: 183.313,83€ (cost of subcontractor: 57.856,00€). Starting/ending dates: December 2019 – March 2023.
Action: Research-Create-Innovate. Project title: Innovative Functional Foods: Development, Production, Charecterization, Properties-iFUNFoods (Τ1ΕΔΚ-03846). Source of funding: EYDE-ETAK and private industrial funds (ACHAIKO ENTELWEISS S. A. and QLCON S. A.). Budget: 952.434,78€. Starting/ending dates: September 2018 – March 2023. Coordinator: Kourkoutas, Y.
National action: Investment Plans of Innovation, Research and Development of the Agrifood sector. Project title: Development of an innovative set of novel products from cow milk with increased levels of calcium and protein – JerseyMILK. Source of funding: Region of East Macedonia & Thrace and private industrial funds (EVROFARMA DAIRY COMPANY S.A.). Budget: 240.000,00€ (cost of subcontractor: 40.000,00€). Starting/ending dates: December 2019 – December 2022. Coordinator: Papazilakis, A. Subcontractor coordinator: Kourkoutas, Y.
Operational Program: Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation (EPAnEK). Project title: FOOD INNOVATION RI: Research Infrastructure of the Development of Food Bioprocesses and Innovation Exploitation. Source of funding: Hellenic General Secretariat of Research and Innovation (GSRI). Budget: 3.000.000,00€. Starting/ending dates: November 2018 – October 2022. Coordinator: Kanellaki, M.
Emblematic Action: Establishment of National Research Networks in the framework of the Hellenic General Secretariat of Research and Innovation (GSRI). Project title: The roads of the vineyards. Source of funding: Hellenic General Secretariat of Research and Innovation (GSRI). Budget: 2.500.000,00€. Starting/ending dates: March 2019 – April 2022.
Operational Program: Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation (EPAnEK). Project title: OMIC-ENGINE: Synthetic biology: From omics technologies to genomic engineering. Source of funding: Hellenic General Secretariat of Research and Innovation (GSRI). Budget: 4.000.000,00€. Starting/ending dates: January 2018 – May 2021.
Action: RIS3-Region of Western Greece-Agro-Nutrition. Project title: Development of novel functional foods exploiting health-promoting microorganisms-NOVoody’s (ΔΕΡ6-0022891). Source of funding: Region of Western Greece and private industrial funds (QLCON S.A. and ACHAIKO ENTELWEISS S.A.). Budget: 240.000,00€. Starting/ending dates: December 2018-July 2021. Coordinator: P. Panas. Scientific Coordinator of Laboratory of Applied Microbiology & Biotechnology, DMBG, DUTH: Kourkoutas, Y.
Operational Program: Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation (EPAnEK). Project title: OPENSCREEN-GR: An Open-Access Research Infrastructure of Target-Based Screening Technologies and Chemical Biology for Human and Animal Health, Agriculture and Environment. Source of funding: Hellenic General Secretariat of Research and Innovation (GSRI). Budget: 3.025.090,09€. Starting/ending dates: December 2017-January 2021. Coordinator: Kletsas, D.
Οperational programme: Human Resources Development, Education and Lifelong Learning. Call ΕΒΔΜ34: Support researchers with emphasis on young researchers. Project title: Novel wine products using biopreservatives and probiotics (OPS code: 5006289). Source of funding:  Hellenic Ministry of Education, Research and Religious Affairs, Greece. Budget: 65.800,00€.  Starting/ending dates: March 2018 – January 2020.  Scientific coordinator: Kourkoutas, Y.
Action: Greece-China Bilateral Cooperation-2012-2014. Project title: Bioactive essential oils and other beneficial substances isolated from Greek and Chinese endemic species with health promoting properties-BioActiveHealth (12CHN_409). Source of funding: Hellenic General Secretariat of Research and Technology (GSRT) and private industrial funds (VIORYL S. A. and PAXMAN Ltd). Budget: 560.000,00€. Starting/ending dates: December 2012 – November 2015. Scientific coordinator: Kourkoutas, Y.
Action: SYNERGASIA II. Project title: Novel functional foods containing bioactive essential oils from Greek endemic species with health promoting properties-BioFood for Health (11SYN_2_566). Source of funding: EYDE-ETAK and private industrial funds (EVGA S. A. and VIORYL S. A.). Budget: 1.184.000,00€. Starting/ending dates: August 2013 – October 2015. Coordinator: Kourkoutas, Y.
Action: SYNERGASIA II. Project title: Functional dairy and meat products with high added value fermented or enriched with new probiotic microorganisms isolated from Greek traditional products-ProbioDairyMeat (11SYN_2_571). Source of funding: EYDE-ETAK and private industrial funds (NIKAS S.A., RODOPI S.A. and OIKOFARMA S.A.). Budget: 1.580.000,00€. Starting/ending dates: October 2013 – Οctober 2015.
Action: Support of Post-Doctorate Researchers. Project title: Production of novel probiotic food products: Investigation of anticancer properties-ProbFood [LS9(3546)]. Source of funding: Hellenic General Secretariat of Research and Technology (GSRT). Budget: 150.000,00€. Starting/ending dates: February 2012 – January 2015. Scientific coordinator: Kourkoutas, Y.
National action: Support of New and Small and Medium Enterprises. Project title: Use of biologically active essential oils in the production of alcoholic beverages and pastry products with potential health benefits (17NEWB2012). Source of funding: EYDE-ETAK and private industrial funds (TENTOURA CASTRO S.A.). Budget: 190.000,00€ (cost of subcontractor: 58.000,00€). Starting/ending dates: November 2012 – January 2015. Coordinator: Katsigianni, E. Subcontractor coordinator: Kourkoutas, Y.
National action: Support of New and Small and Medium Enterprises. Project title: Production of probiotic ice-cream using immobilized L. casei on dry nuts and pastry products (15NEWE2009). Source of funding: EYDE-ETAK and private industrial funds (ACHAIKO ENTELWEISS S.A.). Budget: 200.000,00€ (cost of subcontractor: 60.000,00€). Starting/ending dates: September 2011 – December 2014. Coordinator: Michalopoulos, I. Subcontractor coordinator: Kourkoutas, Y.

 

  1.  Nelios, G., Prapa, I., Mitropoulou, G., Kompoura, V., Balafas, E., Kostomitsopoulos, N., Yanni, A. E., Kourkoutas, Y. Assessment of immobilized Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus OLXAL-1 cells on oat flakes for functional regulation of the intestinal microbiome in a Type-1 diabetic animal model. Foods, 2024, 13, 4134. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13244134.
  2. Prapa, I., Pavlatou, C., Kompoura, V., Nikolaou, A., Stylianopoulou, E., Skavdis, G., Grigoriou, M. E., Kourkoutas, Y. A novel wild type Lacticaseibacillus paracasei strain suitable for the production of functional yoghurt and Aryan products. Fermentation, 2025, 11, 37 https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation11010037.
  3. Prapa, I., Kompoura, V., Pavlatou, C., Nelios, G., Mitropoulou, G., Kostomitsopoulos, N., Plessas, S., Bezirtzoglou, E., Karathanos, V. A., Yanni, A. E, Kourkoutas, Y. Effects of free or ιmmobilized Pediococcus acidalacticiORE5 on Corinthian currants on gut microbiome of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Microorganisms, 2024, 12, 2004. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12102004.
  4. Somalou, P., Ieronymaki, E., Feidaki, K., Prapa, I., Stylianopoulou, E., Spyridopoulou, K., Skavdis, G., Grigoriou, M. E., Panas, P., Argiriou, A., Tsatsanis, C., Kourkoutas, Y. Novel wild-type Pediococcus and Lactiplantibacillus strains as probiotic candidates to manage obesity-associated insulin resistance. Microorganisms, 2024, 12, 231. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12020231.
  5. Kompoura, V., Karapantzou, I., Mitropoulou, G., Parisis, N. A., Gkalpinos, V. K., Anagnostou, V. A., Tsiailanis, A. D., Vasdekis, E. P., Koutsaliaris, I. K., Tsouka, A. N., Karapetsi, L., Madesis, P., Letsiou, S., Florou, D., Koukkou, A-I., Barbouti, A., Tselepis, A. D., Kourkoutas, Y., Tzakos, A. G. Exploiting the beneficial effects of Salvia officinalis L. extracts in human health and assessing their activity as potent functional regulators of food microbiota. Food Chem,2024, 441, 138175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.138175.
  6. Stylianopoulou, E., Daviti, A., Giourou, V., Gerasimidi, E., Nikolaou, A., Kourkoutas, Y., Grigoriou, M. E., Paleologou, K. E., Skavdis, G. Assessment of the anti-amyloidegenic properties of essential oils and their constituents in cells using a whole-cell recombinant biosensor. Brain Sci, 2024, 14, 35. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/brainsci14010035.
  7. Kolypetri S., Kostoglou D., Nikolaou A., Kourkoutas Y., Giaouris E. Chemical composition, antibacterial and antibiofilm actions of oregano (Origanum vulgare subsp. hirtum) essential oil against Salmonella Typhimurium and Listeria monocytogenes. Foods, 2023, 12,  https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12152893.
  8. Mitropoulou, G., Kompoura, V., Nelios, G., Kourkoutas, Y. Pathogenic biofilm removal potential of wild-type Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus strains. Pathogens, 2023, 12, 1449. https:// doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12121449.
  9. Matzourani, I., Nikolaou, A., Kourkoutas, Y., Alexopoulos, A., Plessas, S. Biotechnological features of a functional non-dairy mixed juice fermented with Lacticaseibacillus paracasei SP5.  Fermentation, 2023, 9, 489. https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation9050489.
  10. Nelios, G., Prapa, I., Nikolaou, A., Mitropoulou, G., Yanni, A., Kostomitsopoulos, N., Kourkoutas, Y. Cereals and fruits as effective delivery vehicles of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus through gastrointestinal tract. Appl Sci, 2023, 13, 8643. https://doi.org/10.3390/app13158643.
  11. Pavlatou, C., Nikolaou, A., Prapa, I., Tegopoulos, C., Plessas, S., Grigoriou, M. E., Bezirtzoglou, E., Kourkoutas, Y. Effect of immobilized Pediococcus acidilactici ORE5 cells on pistachio nuts on the functional regulation of the novel katiki Domokou-type cheese microbiome. Appl Sci, 2023, 13, 8047. https://doi.org/10.3390/app13148047.
  12. Mitropoulou, G., Stavropoulou, E., Vaou, N., Tsakris, Z., Voidarou, C., Tsiotsias, A., Tsigalou, C., Taban, B. M., Kourkoutas, Y., Bezirtzolgou, E. Insights into antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory applications of plant bioactive compounds. Microorganisms, 2023, 11, 1156. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11051156.
  13. Karapantzou, I., Mitropoulou, G., Prapa, I., Papanikolaou, D., Charovas, V., Kourkoutas, Y. Physicochemical changes and microbiome associations during vermicomposting of winery waste. Sustainability, 2023, 15, 7484. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15097484.
  14. Nikolaou, A., Santarmaki, V., Mitropoulou, G., Sgourοs, G., Kourkoutas, Y. Novel low-alcohol Sangria-type wine products with immobilized kefir cultures and essential oils. Microbiol Res, 2023, 14, 543-588. https://doi.org/10.3390/microbiolres14020038.
  15. Kompoura, V., Prapa, I., Vasilakopoulou, P. B., Mitropoulou, G., Nelios, G., Balafas, E., Kostomitsopoulos, N., Chiou, A., Karathanos, V. A., Bezirtzoglou, E., Kourkoutas, Y., Yanni, A. E. Corinthian currants supplementation restores serum polar phenolic compounds, reduces IL-1beta, and exerts beneficial effects on gut microbiota in the streptozotocin-induced Type-1 diabetic rat. Metabolites, 2023, 13, 415. https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo13030415.
  16. Gkalpinos, V. K., Anagnostou, V. A., Mitropoulou, G., Kompoura, V., Karapantzou, I., Fasoulis, C. K., Vasdekis, E. P., Kourkoutas, Y., Tzakos, A. G. Aloysia citrodora extracts cultivated in Greece as antioxidants and potent regulators of food microbiota. Appl Sci, 2023, 13, 3663. https://doi.org/10.3390/app13063663.
  17. Nelios, G., Nikolaou, A., Papazilakis, P, Kourkoutas, Y. Developing new high-protein-content traditional-type Greek yoghurts based on Jersey cow milk. Dairy, 2023, 4, 235–248. https://doi.org/10.3390/dairy4010017.
  18. Prapa, I., Nikolaou, A., Panas, P., Tassou, C., Kourkoutas, Y. Developing stable freeze-dried functional ingredients containing wild-type presumptive probiotic strains for food systems. Appl. Sci, 2023, 13, 630. https://doi.org/10.3390/app13010630.
  19. Nikolaou, A., Mitropoulou, G., Nelios, G., Kourkoutas, Y. Novel functional grape juices fortified with free or immobilized Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus OLXAL-1. Microorganisms, 2023, 11, 646. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11030646.
  20. Mileriene, J., Serniene, L, Kasparaviciene, B., Lauciene, L., Kasetiene, N., Zakariene, G., Kersiene, M., Leskauskaite, D., Viskelis, J., Kourkoutas. Y., Malakauskas, M. Exploring the potential of acid whey cheese supplemented with apple pomace and GABA-producing indigenous Lactococcus lactis strain. Microorganisms, 2023, 11, 436. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11020436.

Name Title Supervisor Year Status
Valentini Sandarmaki Application of innovative technologies in the production of probiotic foods and in vivo evaluation of probiotic activity Kourkoutas Ioannis (Yiannis) 2018 Completed
Anastasios Nikolaou Application of new biotechnological methods in wine production Kourkoutas Ioannis (Yiannis) 2019 Completed
Gregoria Mitropoulou Study of the antimicrobial activity of natural products Kourkoutas Ioannis (Yiannis) 2021 Completed
Ioanna Prapa Effect of functional foods on the gut microbiota of populations with metabolic disorders Kourkoutas Ioannis (Yiannis) 2023 Completed
Grigorios Nelios Design and development of innovative functional foods with immobilized cultures of beneficial microorganisms Kourkoutas Ioannis (Yiannis) 2024 Completed

Name Capacity
Νικολάου Αναστάσιος Μεταδιδακτορικός Ερευνητής
Μητροπούλου Γρηγορία Μεταδιδακτορική Ερευνήτρια
Νέλιος Γρηγόριος Μεταδιδακτορικός Ερευνητής
Πράπα Ιωάννα Μεταδιδακτορική Ερευνήτρια
Παυλάτου Χρυσούλα Υποψήφια Διδάκτωρ
Καραπάντζου Ιωάννα Υποψήφια Διδάκτωρ
Δημούλα Ελισάβετ Υποψήφια Διδάκτωρ
Κομπούρα Βασιλική Υποψήφια Διδάκτωρ
Σώμαλου Παρασκευή Υποψήφια Διδάκτωρ

No data found.

Information

Director

Kourkoutas Ioannis, Professor

https://labmbg.mbg.duth.gr

+30 25510 30703

ikourkou@mbg.duth.gr

Τμήμα Μοριακής Βιολογίας & Γενετικής, Δημοκρίτειο Πανεπιστήμιο Θράκης, Δραγάνα, Αλεξανδρούπολη