On the way to healthier sugar alternatives - with the help of microbiology
Our working group develops biotechnological processes for the production of prebiotic sugar alternatives with the aim of actively shaping a healthier and more sustainable diet. Our work thus makes a direct contribution to the implementation of the National Reduction Strategy for Sugar, Fats and Salt of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) and to the nutrition strategy of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Through the targeted development of calorie-reduced, functional sweeteners with positive effects on the microbiome, we aim to create alternatives to traditional sugar alternatives that reduce the consumption of free sugars in food - without compromising on enjoyment or technological properties.
Our methodological approach: interdisciplinary & practice-orientated
Our research combines state-of-the-art molecular biological, microbiological and biotechnological methods to produce innovative carbohydrate structures, characterise them analytically and make them usable in industry:
1. molecular biology & genetic optimisation
Using modern molecular biology tools (e.g. PCR, Gibson assembly, CRISPR-Cas) and synthetic biology, we design highly efficient biosynthetic pathways for the production of sustainable sugar alternatives. Our unique biocatalysts are first validated in established model organisms (e.g. Escherichia coli) and then adapted to regulatory compliant microbes (e.g. Kluyveromyces lactis, Bacillus subtilis).
2. microbiology & bioprocess development
We optimise microbial fermentation processes for the efficient production of a unique enzyme portfolio in order to demonstrate high yields, scalability and cost-effectiveness for our processes at an early stage.
3. enzymatic synthesis & purification
With the help of selective biocatalysts, we combine sugar building blocks into promising carbohydrates that combine a sweet taste with the health-promoting properties of dietary fibres. Innovative downstream processes (e.g. chromatography or ultrafiltration) enable the extraction of high-purity fractions for nutritional and technofunctional studies.
4. analytics & quality control
We rely on modern HPLC methods and spectroscopic procedures for precise product characterisation and quantification of our process efficiencies.
Transfer orientation & spin-off perspective:
Sweethoven Biotech
The research conducted by the Hövels working group is closely linked to the Sweethoven Biotech start-up project. The aim of the project is to bring prebiotic sugar alternatives to the food market as a healthier and more sustainable alternative to conventional sugar. To this end, we rely on highly selective enzyme platforms, approved microorganisms, and manufacturing processes that comply with regulatory requirements.
We would like to emphasize at this point that Sweethoven Biotech is not a company or any other commercial entity. The name originally served as an acronym for third-party funding of the Hövels working group (FKZ 03DPS1007) and has since been used externally as a “working title” for the applied research of the working group.
Awards & competition successes
- 1st place in the Bio-Gründer Wettbewerb 2024 of Bio-Security Management GmbH (prize money € 4,000)
- 3rd place at the BioRiver Boost! 2024 of the BioRiver - Life Science in the Rhineland e.V.
- Innovation Award of the German Bioregions (prize money € 2,000) & Audience Award 2025 at the German Biotechnology Days
- Finalist at the EIT Food Seedbed Incubator 2023 and exhibitor at the EIT Venture Summit 2023 in Lisbon and Next Bite 2024 in Rome
Science communication & visibility
- Feature in the ZDF documentary ‘Zuckeralternativen - Genuss mit Beigeschmack’ (Broadcast on ZDF on 25 May 2025)
Publications
Here you can find a list of our previously published papers.
Team
Here you can find a list of the current members of the research group.