Clarification of Most Relevant Concepts Related to the Microalgae Production Sector

Abstract

Microalgae (including cyanobacteria) are the basis for an emerging worldwide industry but still face significant bottlenecks in contributing to the global economy. It is an enormous challenge to translate experiences from established industries such as aquaculture and agriculture to the microalgae sector. In particular, this includes the challenge of adapting regulations that apply to such macroscopic production and mindsets, to the microscopic world of microalgae and to the scale-up to a million times smaller. Current European and country-based regulations do not always, indeed rarely, consider relevant specific issues that limit the path for innovation and growth applicable to the microalgae sector. In this work, the boundaries for the main issues impacting this sector are presented and discussed. Examples and possible analytical frameworks are presented in a question and answer format. Relevant key topics and related boundaries are discussed: What are algae and how do microalgae differ from macroalgae? Why are algae and specifically microalgae relevant? Is algae cultivation an aquaculture process? Can algae and specifically microalgae be classified as vegetables and their production be classified as agriculture or are they an industrial process? How is algaculture compared with other agricultural sectors? What are organic algae? Can microalgae be grown in wastewater and how can they be used? What are toxic algae? What are the bottlenecks for microalgae culture scale-up? How does the microalgae biodiversity contribute to their development? We conclude that microalgae are developing as a novel agricultural enterprise that can provide major benefits to a sustainable circular economy and environment but require appropriate regulations and support from governments and businesses, recognising its unique attributes and potential.

Applications of Microalgae in Foods, Pharma and Feeds and Their Use as Fertilizers and Biostimulants: Legislation and Regulatory Aspects for Consideration

“…(iv) High concentrations of ammonia are toxic to many microalgal strains and pH control in wastewaters is needed to ensure ammonia concentrations are regulated [154]. Low concentrations of nitrogen and/or phosphorus in wastewater result in little microalgal biomass and costs where this happens are high and the process could be nonviable [169]. (v) Xenobiotic pollutants require a combination of microalgae for their removal.…”

Addition of Spirulina to Craft Beer: Evaluation of the Effects on Volatile Flavor Profile and Cytoprotective Properties

“…The growing demand for a protein supply for human nutrition has led to the exploration of new and alternative protein sources such as unicellular proteins (SCPs). Many micro-organisms (algae, bacteria, yeast/filamentous fungi) can be used as a source of SCP, but due to their low nucleic acid content and high level of essential amino acids, algae are preferred over fungi and bacteria as a source of SCPs for human consumption, so the world production of microalgal biomass is steadily increasing [2,3].…”

¿Algas en mi comida? ¿Es en serio?

“…De acuerdo con su tamaño, se pueden separar en dos grandes grupos: micro y macroalgas (Pereira et al, 2021). Mientras que las primeras suelen medir algunos micrómetros y ser organismos unicelulares (Venkatesan et al, 2015;Verdelho Vieira et al, 2022), las segundas son organismos pluricelulares que pueden llegar a medir ¡hasta 100 metros! (Miyashita et al, 2020;Verdelho Vieira et al, 2022) ¿Te imaginas un alga del largo de una cancha de futbol?…”

“…Mientras que las primeras suelen medir algunos micrómetros y ser organismos unicelulares (Venkatesan et al, 2015;Verdelho Vieira et al, 2022), las segundas son organismos pluricelulares que pueden llegar a medir ¡hasta 100 metros! (Miyashita et al, 2020;Verdelho Vieira et al, 2022) ¿Te imaginas un alga del largo de una cancha de futbol? Además, las macroalgas se dividen en verdes (Chlorophyta), rojas (Rhodophyta) y pardas o marrones (Ochrophyta).…”

“…Se desconoce cuántas algas existen, pero se estima que hay entre uno y 10 millones (Pereira et al, 2021). Un dato curioso es que las plantas superiores (aquellas que cuentan con tejidos vasculares y órganos diferenciados) evolucionaron a partir de las algas verdes (Verdelho Vieira et al, 2022).…”