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The Bright Future Of Microalgae

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Microalgae have attracted immense interest over the past few years, due to their substantial potential for application in fields such as lipids, antioxidants and proteins that could be beneficial for humans and animals.

Microalgae are the most important components in food chains of aquatic ecosystems, and the human diet has included them for thousands of years. They are an untapped source of a variety of health enhancing bioactive compounds.

As we become more aware of the environmental impact that our lives and diets have on the planet, we look for natural solutions to help save it. It is well known that microalgae are among the most sustainable sources of nutrition and cosmetics, so it is not surprising that microalgae products have become more popular.

What are Microalgae?

Microalgae, foundational to life, play a crucial role in our ecosystem, influencing the air we breathe and the food we consume. Through photosynthesis, these microscopic organisms, existing for billions of years, were instrumental in making life on Earth viable, contributing to around half of the oxygen in our atmosphere.

As ancient life forms situated at the base of the food chain, microalgae harbor essential nutrients vital for our health, nutrition, and overall survival. They hold the key to the longevity and sustainability of life on our planet, being primary producers of fundamental nutritional elements such as lipids, proteins, carotenoid pigments, vitamins, and minerals.

What sets microalgae apart is their remarkable ability to grow rapidly, efficiently harness light energy, sequester atmospheric CO2, and generate more food per hectare compared to traditional crops. While our planet hosts an estimated 200k–800k microalgae species, only a fraction of them are commercially available, underscoring the untapped potential within this extraordinary group of organisms.

Delicate Process of Cultivating Microalgae

Incredibly fast-growing and resilient, these organisms don’t demand vast arable land and time investments. They can double in size within 24 hours and generate active ingredients within weeks. Despite the benefits, there are water and energy costs linked to their production.

As technology and bioengineering advance, cultivation is poised to become as eco-friendly as the organisms themselves!

Microalgae cultivation is all about

  • Technology

Whether it’s open-pond or closed photobioreactors, cutting-edge technology allows for the production and cultivation of microalgae. As technology innovations grow, our eco-footprint will shrink.

  • Environmental Conditions

Microalgae produce their stellar compounds through photosynthesis, and they are aquatic organisms, which means they require a lot of sunlight and water.

  • Know-How

Cultivation of microalgae is a delicate process that requires expertise at every level.

Solabia- Algatech Nutrition is a microalgae powerhouse

For over 20 years, Solabia – Algatech Nutrition has been a powerhouse in microalgae cultivation. As one of the few companies in the world to produce commercial-scale, high-quality microalgae-sourced products, we cultivate a wide variety of microalgae.

At our facility situated in Israel’s Arava dessert, we make use of the inhospitable climate. We avoid high-energy usage associated with microalgae with a combination of using the Arava desert’s year-round sunlight. We reduce our electricity usage by using the photovoltaic energy from a nearby solar farm . With the power of photosynthesis, our microalgae produce countless compounds with clinically proven health benefits in dietary supplements, food, and cosmeceuticals.

We use a closed system of glass tubes called photobioreactors, which gives them optimal exposure to sunlight to drive growth while retaining water. We use recycled water to control and maintain temperature, even at the height of summer. Not only does this ensure growth, but it also reduces our ecological footprint.

Our Microalgae

With an estimated 200,000-800,000 species of microalgae, we’ve narrowed it down to 5 super-effective and versatile strains with compounds that can make any industry green.

  • HAEMATOCOCCUS PLUVIALIS

This freshwater green microalga is the best source of natural astaxanthin, one of the most powerful antioxidants known to man. Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae creates Astaxanthin, to protect itself from stressful environmental conditions, which we can use to protect ourselves from free radicals.

  • PHAEODACTYLUM TRICORNUTUM

A naturally rich source of Fucoxanthin, an orange-brown carotenoid, plays a part in energy transfer and helps protect the microalga from oxidative stress. Not only does Fucoxanthin have antioxidant benefits, but when in the form of a dietary supplement, it may promote metabolic health, including management of glucose and lipids levels and liver health.

  • EUGLENA GRACILIS

This single-celled microalga produces linear β 1-3 glucan, called Paramylon that is known for its immuno-modulatory functions. E. gracilis contains a high content of beta-glucans, complete proteins, and essential vitamins and minerals, free of solvents and additives.

  • PORPHYRIDIUM CRUENTUM

This marine microalga is known for its ability to synthesize a wide array of high-value compounds such as sulfated polysaccharides, pigments, poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and phycobiliproteins. The lipids and carbohydrates in this microalga’s biomass make it perfect for pharmaceuticals and biofuel.

  • NANNOCHLOROPSIS

Is used widely in aquaculture hatcheries to establish the initial step of a live food chain. Rotifers that consume the algae carry fatty acids to the fish larvae. The advantage of Nannochloropsis over other unicellular algae is primarily its unique lipids composition. This unique composition can also be utilized to produce oil for cosmetics and dietary supplements.

Having developed expertise in algae cultivation for more than 20 years, Solabia-Algatech Nutritions’ scientists are constantly researching new algae and ingredients derived from algae to promote health through microalgae innovations and active ingredients.

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