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Microalgae

INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION OF MICROALGAE

What are microalgae?

Microalgae are unicellular photosynthetic organisms that can produce high-value sustainable biomass using sunlight and carbon dioxide, while simultaneously generating active biomolecules that can be utilized in various fields.
Ceppoteca micro alghe, Archimede Ricerche
Impianto microalghe di Archimede Ricerche (1)
Microalghe Archimede Ricerche
Impianto microalghe di Archimede Ricerche (2)

Main properties and differences of microalgae

 
Available species
Habitat
Scale of production
Colour
Properties
Application
Drying technology
Finished product
Isochrysis Isochrysis
lutea (T-Iso)
galbana
Marine
Industrial
Brown algae
Fucoxantina
Fatty Acids (DHA, EPA)
Feed
Cosmetic
LIO
powder
frozen paste
Porphyridium Porphyridium
purpureum (cruentum)
Marine
Industrial
Red algae
Phycoerythrin
EPS (Exopolysaccharide)
Cosmetica
LIO
powder
frozen paste
EPS (Exopolysaccharide)
Phaeodactylum Phaeodactylum
tricornutum
Marine
Industrial
Brown algae
Fucoxanthin
Sterols
Fatty Acids
Feed
Cosmetic
SD / LIO
powder
frozen paste
RED 03 V3 extract
Cylindrotheca Cylindrotheca
fusiformis
Marine
Industrial
Brown algae
Fucoxanthin
Sterols
Fatty Acids
Cosmetic
SD / LIO
powder
frozen paste
RED 03 V2extract
Haematococcus Haematococcus
pluvialis
Fresh water
Industrial
Green/Red algae
Astaxanthin
Carotenoids
Food
Feed
Cosmetic
SD / LIO
powder
frozen paste
extract rich in Astaxanthin
Tetraselmis Tetraselmis
chuii
suecica
Marine
Industrial
Green algae
Chlorophylls
Mannitol
Food (Chuii)
Feed
Cosmetic
SD / LIO
powder
frozen paste
Nannocholoropsis Nannocholoropsis
oceanica
oculata
Marine
Industrial
Green algae
Chlorophylls
Fatty Acids (EPA)
Feed
Cosmetic
SD / LIO
powder
frozen paste
NES extract
Arthrospira (Spirulina) Arthrospira (Spirulina)
platensis/maxima
Brackish
Industrial
Green/Light blue algae
Phycocyanin
Proteins
Vitamins e Iron
Food
Organic
Feed
Cosmetic
SD / LIO
powder
frozen paste
Chlorella Chlorella
vulgaris
Fresh water
Industrial
Green algae
Chlorophylls
Proteins
Vitamins
Food
Feed
Cosmetic
SD / LIO
powder
frozen paste
Dunaliella Dunaliella
salina
Hypersaline
Pilot
Green/Red-orange algae
Astaxanthin
Food
Feed
Cosmetic
LIO
powder
frozen paste

Production Scale Legend:

  • Industrial: intensive production with volumes > 1 ton of powder
  • Pilot: experimental production with volumes of about 10 kg of powder
  • Under development: production under development We produce both freeze-dried (LIO) and Spray-Dried (SD) Biommass powder

Applications: Food – Feed – Cosmetic – Nutraceuticals

Chlorella

Chlorella is a freshwater green microalga known for its high content in proteins, vitamins B1, B6, B12, C, and E, as well as minerals and trace elements, including magnesium, iron, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids. Its green color is due to chlorophyll, a pigment with a prebiotic effect that promotes the colonization of the gut by “good” bacteria. Thanks also to carotenoids, this microalga stimulates the immune system and reduces oxidative stress, particularly in the retina.

Chlorella also has a detoxifying effect, helping the body eliminate toxic “waste,” including heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, and mercury.
All these properties make it a valuable dietary supplement widely used in detoxification programs and to improve energy and vitality.
Finally, it is used in cosmetics because of its moisturizing, soothing and antioxidant properties.

Applications: Feed – Cosmetic

Cylindrotheca

Cylindrotheca, a marine diatom with an elongated shape and a siliceous shell, contains a complex of skin-beneficial ingredients such as amino acids, EPA, fucoxanthin, and sterols that impart natural antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and restorative properties.
An extract, a powerful antioxidant and anti-wrinkle agent, can be obtained from Cylindrotheca, which removes free radicals and helps prevent damages to the cell structure in the skin layer, as well as protect against UV rays. It also stimulates the synthesis of collagen and elastin.
Cylindrotheca is also an essential nutritional source for many marine species in aquaculture. The cultivation of Cylindrotheca for aquaculture can help maintain a healthy and balanced marine environment, improving water quality and reducing adverse effects on the ecosystem. This applies to all microalgae used in aquaculture.

Applications: Food – Feed – Cosmetic – Nutraceuticals

Dunaliella

Dunaliella, a green microalga capable of growing in brackish environments and surviving in highly saline conditions, has a high content of beta-carotene, astaxanthin, lutein, and zeaxanthin, which are powerful natural antioxidants that work synergistically to help combat free radical damage and protect against UV radiation.
Dunaliella salina is a good source of polyunsaturated fatty acids, including omega-3 and omega-6.
Natural pigments derived from Dunaliella are used as natural colorants in cosmetics.

Archimede Ricerche, ematococco

Applications: Food – Feed – Cosmetic – Nutraceuticals

Haematococcus

Haematococcus is a green microalga characterized by its ability to accumulate high amounts (up to 40 g per kg of dry biomass) of astaxanthin under conditions of light and/or nutrient stress, making it a cell photoprotective substance.
Astaxanthin is a red-colored carotenoid similar to beta-carotene, with a powerful antioxidant effect that surpasses the effectiveness of vitamins C and E. This makes it an ideal natural dietary supplement for combating free radical damage and improving physical and mental well-being. The astaxanthin found in Haematococcus is also often used as a natural coloring agent in food products, giving them an attractive red-orange color without the use of artificial chemicals.
Finally, astaxanthin is often used in the cosmetic industry for its anti-aging properties, and since it is also an effective natural sunscreen, it protects the skin from damage caused by UV rays.

Applications: Feed – Cosmetic

Isochrysis

Isochrysis is the quintessential golden-brown mobile microalga known for its high content in carotenoids, particularly fucoxanthin, which is used in cosmetics because it can counteract signs of skin aging, such as wrinkles and fine lines, and protect the skin from UV damage.
This microalga is also a very rich source of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, including the fatty acid DHA, an essential nutrient for the growth and health of animals in aquaculture and farming.
Note the thin cell wall that makes it easily extractable via solvents or mechanical treatments.

Applications: Feed

Lobosphaera

The Lobosphaera, a green coloured marine microalgae, is characterised by a high polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content.

Applications: Feed – Cosmetic

Nannochloropsis

Nannochloropsis,a green microalga widely used to produce greenwater in aquaculture (not in all stages, only the larval stage). Its small size and high content in sterols and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, including EPA, make it ideal for nutrition during the larval stages of fish.

It thus proves to be a complete and balanced food for many fish species by promoting healthy and robust growth of the animals while improving their quality and yield.

The species N. oculata is currently in the process of being approved as a Novel Food by the European Commission.

Applications: Cosmetic

Pavlova

La Pavlova, una microalga marina di colore bruno molto simile all’Isochrysis rispetto alla quale ha una composizione sterolica più sofisticata. Inoltre, è caratterizzata da un profilo DHA e EPA elevatissimo, che la rendono ottimale come ingrediente nei mangimi di acquacoltura, soprattutto per l’accrescimento dei rotiferi.

Pavlova è un’alga molto difficile da sviluppare e produrre.

Applications: Feed – Cosmetic

Phaeodactylum

Phaeodactylum, a brown-colored marine diatom with a siliceous shell is rich in fucoxanthin, a natural carotenoid known for being a powerful antioxidant that helps reduce skin spots and combat signs of aging, as well as protect against UV rays.

An extract, which is a powerful antioxidant and anti-wrinkle agent, can be obtained from Phaeodactylum. This extract removes free radicals and helps prevent damage to the cell structure in the dermis layer, while also protecting against UV rays. It additionally stimulates the synthesis of collagen and elastin.

Archimede Ricerche, porfiridio

Applications: Feed – Cosmetic

Porphyridium

Porphyridium, a red-colored marine microalga, is a rich source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as omega-3 and omega-6, as well as phycoerythrin: a pigment that can be used to give an intense and stable yellow-to-red coloration to cosmetic preparations.
An exopolysaccharide (EPS), known for its moisturizing properties as an alternative to hyaluronic acid, which makes it a valuable natural substitute, is extracted from the Porphyridium culture medium.
It is currently in the process of being approved as a Novel Food by the European Commission.

Applications: Food – Feed – Cosmetic – Nutraceuticals

Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina)

Arthrospira (Spirulina) is a cyanobacterium rich in protein, vitamins (especially vitamin B12), and minerals such as iron, calcium, and magnesium.

It has a greenish-blue coloration due to the pigment it produces: phycocyanin, a powerful antioxidant that can fight free radicals and promote overall health; this is why it is widely used in cosmetics.

These properties also make it a valuable dietary supplement for improving energy and vitality.

Archimede Ricerche, Tetraselmis chuii

Applications: Food – Nutraceuticals

Tetraselmis chuii

Tetraselmis chuii,is a green microalga that was approved as a Novel Food by the European Commission in 2013.

This microalga has the distinction of containing all essential amino acids, a high dietary fiber content, and a low fat content.
It is also a very rich source of natural antioxidants, including vitamins (A, E, and D), carotenoids (beta-carotene and lutein), and polyphenols.

These valuable compounds fight damage caused by free radicals in the body, helping to preserve long-term health.

Archimede Ricerche, Tetraselmis suecica

Applications: Feed – Cosmetic

Tetraselmis suecica

Tetraselmis suecica, a green microalga, is a source of valuable skin nutrients, including vitamin E, minerals, and omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids. Its property to promote hydration and radiance makes it an ideal ingredient in skincare creams, lotions, and serums. Thanks to antioxidants such as tocopherol (vitamin E), Tetraselmis helps fight the aging process, protecting the skin from free radical damage and helping maintain a youthful and healthy look.
This microalga also has special anti-parasitic and antibiotic properties that help keep ecological balance in fish farms, improving water quality and reducing the negative effects of eutrophication.

If you are interested in learning more about our microalgae products, please contact us, and we will be happy to provide you with all the necessary information.