New Study Discovers Novel, Low Cost, Effective Way To Extract High-Value Bioactives From Algae

Scientists are rushing to develop more sustainable processes for producing beneficial nutritional goods like Omega-3 fatty acids, biodiesel, aquaculture feed, and animal fodder from quickly proliferating microalgae in order to preserve the world's fish populations and seas.

A new study has identified a straightforward, inexpensive, and efficient method for removing high-value bioactives from single-cell algal oil.

This method involves utilizing waste sulfur from sectors like petrochemical manufacturing.

Innovative process in extracting algae

(Photo : Marius Badstuber/Unsplash)

The novel approach of employing waste sulfur to manufacture enhanced saturated triglycerides from sustainably produced algal oil is presented in the international journal ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, as cited by ScienceDaily.

The method employs a single reaction to concurrently enhance saturated triglycerides for use in value-added applications and create useful polymers from polyunsaturated triglycerides.

Up to 90% of the unsaturated triglycerides in grown single-cell algae may be drawn out by the sulfur reaction.

Professor Justin Chalker, whose organic polymers have been used for environmental remediation, slow-release fertilizer, insulation, and e-waste, noted that in this study, they built upon their body of work in sulfur chemistry to identify a novel technique to process triglycerides from lipid-rich microalgae.

In this instance, sulfur and algal oil are reacting.

The polyunsaturated triglycerides create polymers that have a variety of well-known applications, including environmental cleanup.

According to Professor Chalker, the saturated triglycerides are left unreacted in this process for recovery and eventual conversion to value-added chemicals like biodiesel.

Working with single-cell oils, Associate Professor Munish Puri of Flinders University's Bioprocessing Lab in Medical Biotechnology has created novel materials that may be used to make biodiesel, animal-free foods, nutritional supplements, and other goods.

According to Professor Puri, who has a background in industrial biotechnology and is in charge of the precise fermentation platform for creating such oils, there is rising interest in the bio-based manufacturing of lipids from algae.

Also Read: Marine Microalgae: Food and Fuel of the Future

Microalgae is the new gold

Global food production is anticipated to rise by at least 50% over the next 50 years due to the predicted expansion in the world's population, as per HortiDaily.

In order to minimize greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation, we are all urged to consume less animal protein.

Thus, finding new sources of protein is of utmost importance, and microalgae are among the leading candidates.

Companies like Nestlé are already looking into using microalgae as an alternate source of protein for human and animal diets.

Even though the microalgal manufacturing sector is relatively young, the prospect of creating a new source of protein without the drawbacks of meat and soy is quite alluring.

Another clear benefit is the ability to grow microalgae nearby where they will be utilized by farmers as animal feed.

Testing this technology for development at a full operating scale has been a significant challenge for our European project.

As a result, experts have collaborated closely with the AD sector, which treats food and agricultural waste and gives industrially generated nitrogen (in the form of digestate) to grow microalgae.

A pilot "algae-AD" plant has been constructed in the UK at an AD firm near to Langage Dairy Farm. 20,000 tons of food waste may be processed annually by Langage-AD, which creates biomethane that provides heat and energy.

The researchers were given access to a sizable heated greenhouse that was positioned close to the waste processing facility.

The "algal photobioreactor," a system of vertical see-through tubes in which microalgae are grown in an aqueous mixture containing nutrients and are exposed to both natural and artificial light, was the perfect fit for this environment.

Related article: 'Blood Rain' Mystery Solved: Traveling Microalgae Turned Local Waters Red