Cawthron’s New Technology Photobioreactor- A Boon to Blue Biotech Sector
A highly sophisticated, multi-vessel photobioreactor (PBR) is developed by the scientists at Cawthron Institute, New Zealand to improve the production of algae products. The Cawthron scientists developed the PBR in response to their industry partner’s needs to optimize the growth conditions of algae species. Further, the scientists are interested in developing the photobioreactor for the production of high value algae products, so that their industry clients get benefited.
Currently, the new technology PBR is under trial for algal growth models and it will be scaled up for the commercial use.
The new invent allows the cultivators to study algae growth conditions affecting behavior involved in the production of bioactives, antioxidants, cosmetics and other ingredients of commercial sectors.
Supreme Biotechnology, a New Zealand- based Nutraceutical Company known for the high-value algae compound astaxanthin, is keen to utilize the new equipment to optimize their algae growth on a commercial scale.
The new technology photobioreactor seems to boost blue biotech sector (a term used to describe the marine and aquatic applications of biotechnology) and we can expect many more quality algae products from the industries, once it is being commercialized.
