Marine Algal Research Station (MARS), in collaboration with Structural Engineering Research Station (SERC) has developed an improved method of seaweed farming by using triangular rafts which is an innovative design suitable for deep sea farming. The technique which is simple and cost effective has improved manoeuvrability and requires no specialised training for assembly. Preliminary studies […]

Researchers from Japan have performed genetic manipulation method in Nannochloropsis algal strain NIES-2145 to enhance the production of triacylglycerols from the algae. When Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is cultivated in a phosphorus deficient medium, TAGs accumulate rapidly due to the overexpression of an enzyme called CrDGTT4, which in turn is triggered by gene promoter SQD2. Researchers genetically […]

Researchers from China conducted an experiment to enhance FAME productivity of Scenedesmus obliquus by combining nitrogen deficiency with sufficient phosphorus supply in heterotrophic cultivation. Scenedesmus obliquus NIES-2280 was cultivated heterotrophically in a nitrogen deficient and phosphorus rich medium. Acetate was used as a carbon source. Results showed that the productivity of fatty acid methyl esters […]

Scientists from China performed an experiment to study the algal biomass cultivation and lipid production of Chlorella vulgaris using various photobioreactors (bubbling, air-lift, porous air-lift). Results showed that bubbling column photobioreactor could be suitable for the cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris than air-lift photobioreactor as the highest biomass concentration was obtained using bubbling column PBR. Source

Scientists from India performed an experiment to synthesize biodiesel from macro green algae Chlorophyta by single step in situ trans esterification method. Macroalgae was collected, harvested, dried and the algal biomass was directly converted into fatty acid methyl ester by in situ trans esterification method. Results showed that macroalgae could be a potential algae for biodiesel […]

Scientists from China performed an experiment to compare flat photo-bioreactors for algae cultivation based on computational flow dynamics numerical simulation. Three flat photo-bioreactors were taken for the experiment, viz., ordinary double flat photo-bioreactor, multistage flat photobioreactor and multistage intake photobioreactor. Computational flow dynamics simulations were carried out. Results showed that multistage intake photobioreactor gave the […]

DENSO Corporation has announced that it will build a large 20,000 sq.mt. test facility in Japan, for the culture of Pseudochoricystis ellipsoidea , an oil-producing microalgae patented by DENSO that can reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The new facility will be used to perform verification tests needed to establish large-scale microalgae cultivation technologies to improve biofuel production […]

Algix LLC and Effekt have created the world’s first algae-derived flexible foams, produced in a patented process using Algix’s dried algae biomass which is GMO free and collected from waste streams across Asia and USA. The new flexible foam is to be sold under the brand name BLOOMTM and it will find its applications in footwear, […]

US FDA has approved Colourcon’s Spirulina extract to be used for pharma pills.  Blue and green colours are difficult to achieve using previously approved natural colourants. Pill colour plays a key role in pharmaceutical branding. It is also important in patient compliance. For generic drugmakers who are trying to make green or blue coloured pills, the […]

Researchers from Duke’s University have received a grant from U.S. Department of Energy to establish a consortium to study the extraction, development and commoditization of various products from algae. The grant is approximately $5.2 million over a period of three years. The main goal of consortium is to find different ways to reduce the cost of […]

An inter-university research team have developed a microalgae based carbon capture technology and established the nation’s largest pilot microalgae farm at a University in Tainan.  The goal of the team is to exhaust emissions and wastewater from factories to breed microalgae and use that to capture carbon dioxide. The researchers have found that 1 kg […]

NREL researchers are conducting an experiment to produce ethylene directly from genetically modified algae.  The experiment was conducted by introducing a gene that coded for ethylene producing enzyme. This allows the organisms to convert carbon dioxide into ethylene. As ethylene is a gas, it can be easily collected.  The CO2 used for this conversion can […]

The first commercial-scale seaweed farm at UK is to open in Argyll off the coast of Scotland soon.  The new facility planned by Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) scientists will be run as a demonstration project to help shape UK’s cultivation sector. Seven native seaweed varieties will be planted at the farm and the […]

Algoid technologies, a supplier of microalgae to the cosmetics industry has decided to launch its own organic skin care line, Alginique by combining marine and freshwater phytoplankton. Marketed as a ‘Morning Rose Facial Elixir’, the 100% organic skin care line has been developed by using phytoplankton, combined with number of essential plant oils, to help […]

Scientists from Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) have identified two new ocean based algal strains that can be used as a source of biofuels for vehicles and aircraft. The two new strains Nannochloropsis oceanica and Chlorella vulgaris have dry-weight oil content of more than 50 percent that makes them as ideal sources of biofuel for vehicles and […]

DSM Nutritional Products Ltd. and Evonik Nutrition have entered into an agreement to manufacture algae based omega-3 fatty acid products for animal nutrition. Under the agreement, the two companies will jointly work on the development of products and their commercialization. Algae-based omega-3 fatty acid products will be a high value, natural and sustainable alternatives to fish […]

Researchers from China and Europe have performed an experiment to analyze the effect of initial biomass specific (IBS) light availability on the production rate of batch microalgal triglycerides from Nannochloropsis sp. cultivated in vertical and horizontal outdoor tubular reactors. The results showed that increasing IBS light availability resulted in higher production rate of IBS-TAG as well as […]

BASF and Solazyme have launched the first commercial surfactant, algal betaine, derived from microalgae oil for use in home and personal care applications. Commercialized under the trade name, Dehyton® AO 45, algal betaine is a betaine surfactant derived from microalgae oil and is a high-performance alternative to amidopropyl betaine. Dehyton® AO 45 is produced with […]

Researchers from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory are working on a project to identify and employ probiotic bacteria to increase microalgal survival by two-fold when the mass algal cultures are affected by rotifers or chytrids. The work will also analyze ways to overcome barriers that exist during shifting of lab-scale work to open pond process. The […]

International Sustainability Group, Inc. has begun its production of commercial algae in its new pilot plant located in West Chester, Pennsylvania. The company also is in the final stage of setting up a facility in Philadelphia, Mississippi to produce additional algae for making various nutraceuticals products. The making of the new pilot plant will be […]

Researchers from Canada performed an experiment to optimize the biological fixation of CO2 using Chlorella kessleri cultivated in oil sands process water (OSPW). A lab-scale closed raceway photobioreactor was designed for the cultivation of Chlorella kessleri. A model-based optimization method was used to calculate the optimal feeding strategies for CO2 phosphate and light intensity. Results […]

University of Delaware lab group that has been experimenting with algae for years has received extra funding for two years from multiple federal agencies like National Science Foundation funding, NOA, Delaware Sea Grant etc. The group is attempting to air pollutants from power plant emissions. It plans to take the biomass from algae and convert […]

Tokyo based DIC Corporation has built its $10 million state-of-the-art extraction plant for spirulina in Southern California to meet the growing demands for natural blue food colours.  The commercial production is expected to begin in September. The new extraction facility will produce DIC’s Linablue natural blue food colouring from phycocyanin extracted from Spirulina. Source

US Department of Energy has announced that it will fund $18 million to six algae based biofuels projects in order to reduce the price of algae based biofuels to less than $5 per gasoline gallon equivalent by 2019. This funding will also support the development of bio economy that can help create green jobs and […]

Roquette Group and Algama have formed a partnership to develop prototypes of food products from microalgae.  The companies have also planned to exhibit the prototypes at Expo Milano 2015 to be held in Italy. Roquette is a French company, which supplies chlorella under the brand name algility, while, Algama is a Paris-based company that develops […]