Students and staff

Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology and Food Biotechnology (LIMFB)

Team:

Pāvels Semjonovs, Dr. biol., Leading researcher, Head of the Laboratory

Kristaps Neiberts, Msc. biol., Scientific assistant

Maija Rukliša, Dr. habil. biol., Leading researcher, emeritus

Pēteris Zikmanis, Dr. habil. biol., Leading researcher, emeritus

Santa Sukaruka,  Msc environ., sc., biologist

Tomass Tumpelis, Bsc biotechnology, biologist

Oto Apse, laboratory assistant

 

E-mail: pavels.semjonovs@lu.lv

Address: Riga, O.Vācieša street 4, LV-1004

The Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology and Food Biotechnology carries out applied research for the utilization of renewable raw materials and industrial by-products, e.g. whey – for obtaining value-added products, reducing environmental pollution, and improving productivity in various agricultural sectors, thus promoting the implementation of biotechnological processes in the production practice, as well as the development of innovative and sustainable solutions to achieve circular economy goals.

For an insight: – several promising directions with internationally recognized expertise include the development of new biologically active agents for improvement of the plant productivity, production`s quality and enhanced stress resistance; the development of novel fish and poultry feed additives; studies on microbially synthesized biodegradable polymers with broad application potential in the food, packaging materials, and medical sectors.

The laboratory currently works on the development of biological plant growth stimulators as well as bacteria-based products to strengthen plant resistance against frost and pathogens.

Main research directions

1. Biotechnology of microalgae and other microorganisms for innovative products and processes;

2. Development of plant biostimulants by using bacteria and microalgae;

3. Bioconversion of renewable resources and industrial by-products (e.g. whey);

4. Functional foods.

 

Ongoing projects:

Implemented projects:

  1. "Developing and testing of new microbiological preparations for improvement of crop productivity" (EAFRD funded project no. 22-00-A01612-000014). More information about project: there
  2. "Development of plant origin feed supplement for strengthening poultry immunity and increasing nutritional value of eggs with omega-3 fatty acids" (EAFRD funded project no. 22-00-A01612-000015). More information about project: there

  3. Approbation of microalgae cultivation in closed aquaculture systems and evaluation of their efficiency in fish feed (EMFF funded project no. 20-00-F02201-000001).

  4. Development and testing of a prototype of a plant growth stimulator and antimicrobial agent of microalgae origin for autumn raspberries (EAFRD funded project no. 19-00-A01620-000072).

  5. Obtaining of bio-degradable polymers from renewable resources for production of protective coatings and packaging materials for fruits (EAFRD funded project no. 19-00-A01612-000004). More information about project: there

  6. Prototyping of biopolymer technology for obtaining nanostructured products from industrial by-products (ERDF funded project no. KC-PI-2020/38).

  7. Technology for microbial biosynthesis of nanostructured biocellulose (2014-2015) (ERDF funded Project No. 2014/0034/2DP/2.1.1.1.0/14/APIA/VIAA/097).

  8. Value added functional foods from fish by-products (2014-2015) (ERDF funded Project No. 2013/0061/2DP/2.1.1.0/13/APIA/VIAA/035).

  9. Development of technology for production of bacterial exopolysaccharides for improvement of industrial foods functional quality (2014-2015) (ERDF funded Project No. 2014/0037/2DP/2.1.1.1.0/14/APIA/VIAA/108).

  10. Application of natural associations of microorganisms for the acquisition of polyfunctional synbiotic drinks of mass consumption and their concentrates (2009-2013) (ERDF funded project No 2010/0322/2DP/2.1.1.1.0/10/APIA/VIAA/108)

Recent Conferences

Neiberts, K. &, Semjonovs P. Mixotrophic cultivation of microalgae in whey medium for poultry diet supplementation with microalgal biomass. 82nd International Scientific Conference of the University of Latvia “Innovative and applied research in Biology”, March 8, 2024, Riga.

Kolesovs, S. & Semjonovs, P.  Mixotrophic and heterotrophic cultivation of different microalgae species on dairy by-products for further supplementation of poultry diet.  81st International Scientific Conference of the University of Latvia “Innovative and applied research in Biology”, February 2, 2023, Riga.
https://doi.org/10.22364/iarb.2023.03 

Kolesovs, S.,  Neiberts, K., Semjonovs P. Use of microalgae Scenedesmus quadricauda and Chlorella vulgaris living-cells suspensions for plant bio-stimulation. 81st International Scientific Conference of the University of Latvia “Innovative and applied research in Biology”, February 2, 2023, Riga. https://doi.org/10.22364/iarb.2023.04 

Juhņeviča-Radenkova, K. , Radenkovs V., Segliņa, D., Krasnova, I., Semjonovs, P., Koļesovs, S., Zikmanis, P., Rukliša , M. 2020. Edible coatings for berries: An innovative, perspective and environmentally-friendly approach to berry storage. 78th International Scientific Conference of the University of Latvia “Innovative and applied research in Biology”, Fabruary 3, 2020, Riga.

  1. Kolesovs S., Semjonovs P. (2020) Production of bacterial cellulose from whey—current state and prospects. Appl Microbiol  Biotechnol. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-020-10803-9
  2. Zikmanis P., Kolesovs S., Semjonovs P. (2020). Production of biodegradable microbial polymers from whey. Bioresources and Bioprocessing. DOI: doi.org/10.1186/s40643-020-00326-6
  3. Zikmanis P., Brants K., Kolesovs S., Semjonovs P. (2020). Extracellular polysaccharides produced by bacteria of the Leuconostoc genus. World J Microbiol Biotechnol, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-020-02937-9
  4. Semjonovs P., Ruklisha M., Paegle L., Saka M.,Treimane R., Skute M., Rozenberga L., Vikele L., Sabovics M., Cleenwerck I. (2017) Cellulose synthesis by Komagataeibacter rhaeticus strain P 1463 isolated from Kombucha. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol, 101(3):1003-1012
  5. Grube M., Shvirksts K., Denina I., Ruklisa M., Semjonovs P. (2016) Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopic analyses of cellulose from different bacterial cultivations using microspectroscopy and a high-throughput screening device. Vib Spectrosc; 84:53-57
  6. Rozenberga L., Skute M., Belkova L., Sable I., Vikele L., Semjonovs P., Saka M., Ruklisha M., Paegle L. (2016) Characterization of films and nanopaper obtained from cellulose synthesized by acetic acid bacteria. Carbohyd Polym; 144:33-40
  7. Semjonovs P., Patetko A., Grube M., Shvirksts K., Auzina L., Upite D., Linde R., Bormanis A., Upitis A., Ruklisa M., Kozlinskis E., Parele E.B., Gailitis J., Silina L., Denina I., Marauska M., Dlohi R. (2016) Application of Bifidobacterium lactis as the Single Strain Probiotic Starter Culture for Fermentation of Salmon (Salmo salar) Mince. Curr Nutr Food Sci, 12:28-34
  8. Semjonovs P., Shakirova L., Treimane R., Shvirksts K., Auzina L., Cleenwerck I., Zikmanis P. (2015) Production of extracellular fructans by Gluconobacter nephelii P1464. Lett Appl Microbiol; 62:145-152
  9. Semjonovs P., Auzina L., Upite D., Grube M., Shvirksts K., Linde R., Denina I., Bormanis A., Upitis A., Ruklisha M., Parele E.B., Gailitis J., Silina L., Kozlinskis E., Marauska M., Danilevich A., Dlohi R. (2015) Application of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis as Starter Culture for Fermentation of Baltic Herring (Clupea harengus membras) Mince. Am J Food Technol; 10(5):184-194
  10. Zikmanis P., Kampenusa I., (2014) Relationship between metabolic fluxes and sequence-derived properties of enzymes. Int. Scholar. Res. Notices (ISRN) v. 2014, , 9 pages, DOI:org/10.1155/2014/817102.
  11. Semjonovs P., Shakirova L., Denina I., Kozlinskis E. (2014) Development of a fructan-supplemented synbiotic cabbage juice beverage fermented by Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12. Res J Microbiol; 9(3):129-141
  12. Semjonovs P., Denina I., Fomina A., Patetko A., Auzina L., Upite D., Upitis A., Danilevics A. (2014) Development of birch (Betula pendula Roth.) sap based probiotic fermented beverage. Int Food Res J; 21(5): 1763-1767
  13. Semjonovs P., Denina I., Linde R. (2014) Evaluation of physiological effects of acetic acid bacteria and yeast fermented non-alcohocolic beverage consumption in rat model. J Med Sci; 14(3):147-152
  14. Vina I., Semjonovs P., Linde R., Denina I. (2014) Current evidence on physiological activity of kombucha fermented beverage and expected health effects. J Med Food; 17(2):179-188
  15. Semjonovs P., Denina I., Fomina A., Sakirova L., Auzina L., Patetko A., Upite D. (2013) Evaluation of Lactobacillus reuteri strains for pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) juice fermentation. Biotechnol; 12(5):202-208
  16. Denina I., Semjonovs P., Fomina A., Treimane R., Linde R. (2013) The influence of stevia glycosides on the growth of Lactobacillus reuteri strains. Lett Appl Microbiol; 58:278-284
  17. Kampenusa I., Zikmanis P. (2013) Relationships between metabolic fluxes and enzyme amino acid composition. Central Eur. J. Biol., v.8, Nr.2,pp.107-12
  18. Shakirova L.,Grube M., Gavare M., Auzina L., Zikmanis P. (2013) Relationship between the cell surface hydrophobicity and survival of probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus La5 and Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12 and characteristics of FT-IR spectra. J. Industrial Microbiol. Biotechnol., v.40, Nr.1,pp.85-93.
  19. Vīna I,. Semjonovs P., Linde R., Patetko A. (2013) Glucuronic acid containing fermented functional beverages produced by natural yeasts and bacteria associations. Int J Res Rev Appl Sci; 14(1):17-25
  20. Vīna I., Linde R., Patetko A., Semjonovs P. (2013) Glucuronic acid from fermented beverages: biochemical functions in humans and its role health protection. Int J Res Rev Appl Sci; 14(2):217-230
  21. Shakirova L.,Grube M., Goodacre R., Gavare M., Auzina L., Zikmanis P. (2013) FT-IR spectroscopic investigation of bacterial cell envelopes from Zymomonas mobilis which have different surface hydrophobicities. Vibr.Spectroscopy, v.64, Nr.1,pp.51-57.
  22. Semjonovs P. (2012) Bioloģiski aktīvās vielas pārtikas produktos: Pienskābes baktēriju producēto eksopolisaharīdu perspektīvas pārtikas produktu ražošanā (pp. 109-110); Pienskābes baktēriju eksopolisaharīdu izmantošana pārtikas produktu ražošanā (pp. 110-113). LLU Pārtikas tehnoloģijas fakultāte.
  23. Zikmanis P., Kampenusa I. (2012) Relationships between kinetic constants and the amino acid composition of enzymes from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae glycolysis pathway. EURASIP J. Bioinform. Systems Biol., 2012: 11, DOI: 10.1186/1687-4153-2012-11
  24. Kampenusa I., Zikmanis P. (2010) Distinguishable codon usage and amino acid composition patterns among substrates of leaderless secretory pathways from proteobacteria. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., v.86, Nr.1,pp. 283-295.
  25. Shakirova L., Auzina L., Zikmanis P., Gavare M., Grube M. (2010) Influence of growth conditions on hydrophobicity of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis cells and characteristics by FT-IR spectra. Spectroscopy, v.24

 

1. Komagataeibacter rhaeticus P 1463 producer of bacterial cellulose. P.Semjonovs et al. Application number EP15177983.2, 23.07.2015. EU

2. Extracellular fructans producing acetic acid bacterial strain Gluconobacter nephelii P1464.” P.Semjonovs et al. Application number EP15171167.8, 09.06.15. EU

3. Lactic acid bacteria Lactobacillus plantarum strain P 1462 and products containing the strain." P.Semjonovs et al. Application number EP15169066.6, 25.05.2015. EU

4. Association LMKK P1399 and method for obtaining fermented non-alcoholic beverages.” P.Semjonovs et al. Application number EP13194546.1, 27.11.13. EU

5. Association LMKK P1398 and method for obtaining fermented non-alcoholic beverages.” P.Semjonovs et al. Application number EP13194538.8, 27.11.13. EU

6. Association LMKK P1401 and method fot obtaining fermented non-alcoholic polyfunctional synbiotic beverages. P.Semjonovs et al. Application number EP13194332.6, 25.11.13. EU

7. Method for obtaining dry concentrates of fermented beverages. P.Semjonovs et al. LV Patents, Nr. 14926, 20.11.2014.

8. Association of Microorganism Cultures LMKK 1400 and fermentation kits for obtaining non-alcoholic polyfunctional synbiotic drinks. P.Semjonovs et al. LV Patents, Nr. 14814, 22.11.2013.

9. Dry prophylactic preparation or food supplement and method of their preparation. P.Semjonovs et al. LV Patents, Nr. 14805, 22.11.2013.

10.Liquid concentrate for fermented soft drinks. P.Semjonovs et al. LV patents, Nr. 14706 B, 20.11.2013

11.Pediococcus pentosaceus lactose-positive strain and a complex of fructan-containing exopolysaccharides synthesized by the strain. P.Semjonovs et al. Application number EP07120798, EP2011859, 07.05.2007.

Tumpelis, T., Sukaruka, S., & Semjonovs, P. (2025). Phenolic compounds and flavonoids in microalgal extracts for agricultural biostimulants: A comparative study of extraction methods. 83rd International Scientific Conference of the University of Latvia, “Innovative and Applied Research in Biology”, Riga, Latvia.

Neiberts, K., Apse, O. J., & Semjonovs, P. (2025). Utilizing cheese whey for mixotrophic cultivation of microalgae Graesiella emersonii: Improving lipid and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid content in poultry diets. 83rd International Scientific Conference of the University of Latvia, “Innovative and Applied Research in Biology”, Riga, Latvia.

Sivicka, I., Kampuss, K., & Semjonovs, P. (2025). Growth and yield performance of carrot (Daucus carota L.) influenced by treatments with microalgae extracts. 83rd International Scientific Conference of the University of Latvia, “Innovative and Applied Research in Biology”, Riga, Latvia.

Ilgaza, A., Freiberga, A., Jonova, S., Gorbacevska, S., Ilgazs, A., Plivca, A., Sukaruka, S., Tumpelis, T., Apse, O. J., Neiberts, K., & Semjonovs, P. (2025). Effects of the microalgal biomass of Chlorella vulgaris in the diet of laying hens on stress tolerance, productivity, and the nutritional value of eggs. 3rd EAAP Regional Meeting 2025, “Animal Production in the Changing World”, Krakow, Poland.

Apse, O. J., Neiberts, K., Ilgaza, A., Freiberga, A., Gorbacevska, D., Jonova, S., & Semjonovs, P. (2024). Microalgae as a source of lipids and omega-3 fatty acids for enhancement of poultry diet. AlgaEurope 2024, Athens, Greece.

Neiberts, K., Apse, O. J., Kampuss, K., Sivicka, I., & Semjonovs, P. (2024). Effects of tomato sprouts treatment with microalgae Tetradesmus obliquus and Graesiella emersonii biomass extracts obtained by microalgae cultivation under suboptimal growth temperatures. AlgaEurope 2024, Athens, Greece.

Kampuss, K., Augšpole, I., Semjonovs, P., Sivicka, I., & Afoņina, K. (2024). Treatment with microalgae extracts as a potential stimulator of raspberry growth, development, and plant health status. International Agriculture Symposium “Agrosym 2024”, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Sivicka, I., Augšpole, I., Kampuss, K., & Semjonovs, P. (2024). Organoleptic and quality properties of tomato fruits under treatment with microalgae extracts. International Agriculture Symposium “Agrosym 2024”, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Augšpole, I., Sivicka, I., Kampuss, K., & Semjonovs, P. (2024). Effect of treatment with microalgae extracts on growth and development of raspberry. International Agriculture Symposium “Agrosym 2024”, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Augšpole, I., Sivicka, I., Kampuss, K., & Semjonovs, P. (2024). Effect of treatment with microalgae extracts on growth and development of raspberry. 5th European Horticulture Congress, Bucharest, Romania.

Neiberts, K., Apse, O. J., & Semjonovs, P. (2024). Induction of lipid and polyunsaturated fatty acids production by suboptimal temperatures during autotrophic cultivation of selected lactose-assimilating microalgal strains for further use of whey mixotrophic bioconversion for crop bioprotection and fertilizing. Problems and Achievements of Modern Biotechnology, Ukraine.

Neiberts, K. &, Semjonovs P. (2024). Mixotrophic cultivation of microalgae in whey medium for poultry diet supplementation with microalgal biomass. 82nd International Scientific

Conference of the University of Latvia “Innovative and applied research in Biology”, Riga, Latvia.

Kolesovs, S. & Semjonovs, P. (2023). Mixotrophic and heterotrophic cultivation of different microalgae species on dairy by-products for further supplementation of poultry diet. 81st International Scientific Conference of the University of Latvia “Innovative and applied research in Biology”, Riga, Latvia.

Kolesovs, S., Neiberts, K., Semjonovs P. (2023). Use of microalgae Scenedesmus quadricauda and Chlorella vulgaris living-cells suspensions for plant bio-stimulation. 81st International Scientific Conference of the University of Latvia “Innovative and applied research in Biology”, Riga, Latvia.

Juhņeviča-Radenkova, K., Radenkovs V., Segliņa, D., Krasnova, I., Semjonovs, P., Koļesovs, S., Zikmanis, P., Rukliša, M. (2020). Edible coatings for berries: An innovative, perspective and environmentally-friendly approach to berry storage. 78th International Scientific Conference of the University of Latvia “Innovative and applied research in Biology”, Riga, Latvia.