Algae as a means of converting waste carbon dioxide into food with a high nutritional value.

0522991 - ÚCHP 2020 RIV DE eng C - Conference Paper (international conference)
Brányiková, Irena - Lucáková, Simona
Algae as a means of converting waste carbon dioxide into food with a high nutritional value.
Programme and Papers. Westerau: Thünen-Institute of Organic Farming, 2019, s. 46-53. ISBN N.
[LandLessFood - Workshop in Marrakesh. Marrakesh (MA), 14.11.2019-16.11.2019]
Institutional support: RVO:67985858
Keywords : microalgae * human and/or animal nutrition * carbon dioxide * arthrospira
OECD category: Agricultural biotechnology and food biotechnology

Microalgae form a wide group of photosynthetic microorganisms, which includes prokaryotic cyanobacteria (e.g. genus Arthrospira) as well as eukaryotic unicellular algae (e.g. genus Chlorella). Microalgae can be regarded as microplants able to convert carbon dioxide and water into organic compounds via photosynthesis. Nevertheless, comparing to higher plants (agricultural crops) the microalgae have much higher areal productivities, high content of proteins, vitamins, antioxidants, polyunsaturated fatty acids and other health-promoting components. Moreover, they can be produced in non-arable areas requiring low-cost inputs. To reach high productivities of microalgal cultures, it is necessary to supply them with sufficient illumination, carbon dioxide and minerals in culturing media. Nowadays microalgae for human and/or animal nutrition are produced in different types of photobioreactors where previously mentioned suitable conditions are ensured along with appropriate mixing and oxygen release. In order to decrease the cultivation cost of microalgae, it was proven that different kinds of flue gasses can be used as a carbon dioxide source, sunlight is the source of energy (illumination) and in some cases suitable waste water can be used as the source of mineral nutrients. Considering current state of knowledge, Arthrospira (spirulina, often rated among superfoods) seems to be the most promising microalga for widespread cultivation in large scale as for its cultivation and harvesting no expensive technologies are needed.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0307398