Discover the potential of microalgae including cyanobacteria
Discover the impressive field of microalgae, organisms that hold immense potential for commercial use. This comprehensive introduction provides an in-depth look at 30 widely distributed and commercially valuable microalgae species, including cyanobacteria. Each of these species is introduced on the basis of its different properties, vital components and versatile uses. Used in food supplements, pharmaceuticals, aquaculture and wastewater treatment, these microscopic creatures are transforming industry and leading us to a more sustainable future. Their unique capabilities highlight the importance of microalgae in our evolving world.
Discover the potential of microalgae including cyanobacteria
Discover the impressive field of microalgae, organisms that hold immense potential for commercial use. This comprehensive introduction provides an in-depth look at 30 widely distributed and commercially valuable microalgae species, including cyanobacteria. Each of these species is introduced on the basis of its different properties, vital components and versatile uses. Used in food supplements, pharmaceuticals, aquaculture and wastewater treatment, these microscopic creatures are transforming industry and leading us to a more sustainable future. Their unique capabilities highlight the importance of microalgae in our evolving world.
30 promising species for commercial applications and biotechnology research
Amphora spp.
Description: Amphora is a genus of marine and freshwater diatoms with elongated cells.
Main components: Proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and pigments.
Intended use: Biofuel, aquaculture and food supplement.
Anabaena spp.
Description: Anabaena is a genus of filamentous cyanobacteria that form colonies and can fix atmospheric nitrogen.
Main components: Proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and pigments (phycobiliproteins, chlorophyll-a).
Purpose: Biofertiliser, biofuel and bioproducts.
Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina)
Description: Spirulina is a filamentous, spiral-shaped, multicellular cyanobacterium. Its blue-green colour is due to the presence of chlorophyll-a and phycocyanin.
Main components: Protein, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins and minerals.
Intended use: Nutraceuticals, food supplements, animal feed and waste water treatment.
Botryococcus braunii
Description: Botryococcus braunii is a colonial green microalga known for the production of large amounts of hydrocarbons.
Main components: Hydrocarbons, lipids, proteins and carbohydrates.
Intended use: Biofuel and bioproducts.
Chaetoceros spp.
Description: Chaetoceros is a genus of chain-forming marine diatoms with characteristic setae protruding from the cell.
Main components: Proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and pigments.
Purpose: Aquaculture, biofuel and food supplement.
Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Description: Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a unicellular, biflagellate green microalga.
Main components: Proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and pigments.
Intended use: Biofuel, bioproducts and biotechnological research.
Chlorella vulgaris
Description: Chlorella is a unicellular, spherical green microalga. It reproduces rapidly by asexual reproduction.
Main components: Protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals.
Intended use: Nutraceuticals, food supplements, biofuel and wastewater treatment.
Coccomyxa spp.
Description: Coccomyxa is a genus of unicellular, immobile green microalgae commonly found in terrestrial and aquatic habitats.
Main components: Proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and pigments.
Intended use: Biofuel, bioremediation and food supplement.
Dunaliella salina
Description: Dunaliella salina is a unicellular, biflagellate green microalga. It is very tolerant to salt and light fluctuations.
Main constituents: Carotenoids, especially β-carotene, lipids and glycerol.
Intended use: Nutraceuticals, food colouring, cosmetics and biofuel.
Haematococcus pluvialis
Description: Haematococcus pluvialis is a unicellular, green freshwater microalgae known for its ability to accumulate large amounts of astaxanthin.
Main components: Astaxanthin, lipids and carbohydrates.
Intended use: Nutraceuticals, food colouring, cosmetics and biofuel.
Isochrysis galbana
Description: Isochrysis galbana is a unicellular, marine golden brown microalga. It is commonly used as a food for rotifers and other zooplankton.
Main components: Proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and fucoxanthin.
Intended use: Aquaculture, nutraceuticals and biofuel.
Micromonas pusilla
Description: Micromonas pusilla is a small, unicellular, flagellate green alga found in marine environments.
Main components: Proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and pigments.
Intended use: Aquaculture, biofuel and food supplements.
Monoraphidium spp.
Description: Monoraphidium is a genus of unicellular, immobile green microalgae found in both freshwater and marine environments.
Main components: Proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and pigments.
Intended use: Biofuel, wastewater treatment and food supplement.
Nannochloropsis spp.
Description: Nannochloropsis is a genus of small, spherical, marine green microalgae. They are known for their high lipid content.
Main components: Lipids, proteins and carbohydrates.
Intended use: Biofuel, aquaculture and nutraceuticals.
Navicula spp.
Description: Navicula is a genus of marine and freshwater diatoms with boat-shaped cells.
Main components: Proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and pigments.
Intended use: Biofuel, aquaculture and nutraceuticals.
Nitzschia spp.
Description: Nitzschia is a genus of pennate diatoms found in marine, brackish and freshwater environments.
Main components: Proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and pigments.
Purpose: Biofuel, aquaculture and nutraceuticals.
Ostreococcus tauri
Description: Ostreococcus tauri is a marine picoeukaryotic green alga, known as the smallest eukaryotic cell.
Main components: Proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and pigments.
Purpose: Aquaculture, biofuel and food supplement.
Pavlova spp.
Description: Pavlova is a genus of unicellular, flagellate, golden-brown microalgae found in marine environments.
Main components: Proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and pigments.
Intended use: Aquaculture, food supplement and biofuel.
Phaeodactylum tricornutum
Description: Phaeodactylum tricornutum is a marine, pennate diatom with a unique three-part cell shape.
Main components: Proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and fucoxanthin.
Intended use: Aquaculture, nutraceuticals and biofuel.
Picochlorum spp.
Description: Picochlorum is a genus of small, unicellular green microalgae found in marine environments.
Main components: Proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and pigments.
Intended use: Biofuel, CO2 sequestration and bioproducts.
Porphyridium cruentum
Description: Porphyridium cruentum is a unicellular red microalga known to produce sulphated polysaccharides and other valuable products.
Main components: Sulphated polysaccharides, proteins, lipids and pigments.
Intended use: Nutraceuticals, cosmetics and bioproducts.
Prymnesium parvum
Description: Prymnesium parvum is a unicellular, flagellate-like golden alga known for producing harmful algal blooms.
Main components: Proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and pigments.
Intended use: Bioproducts, biofuel and aquaculture.
Rhodomonas spp.
Description: Rhodomonas is a genus of unicellular, flagellate cryptophytes found in marine and freshwater environments.
Main components: Proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and pigments.
Intended use: Aquaculture, food supplement and biofuel.
Scenedesmus spp.
Description: Scenedesmus is a genus of green microalgae that form colonies of 2 to 16 cells. They are very adaptable and are found in a wide range of environments.
Main components: Proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and pigments.
Intended use: Biofuel, waste water treatment and food supplements.
Skeletonema costatum
Description: Skeletonema costatum is a chain-forming marine diatom.
Main components: Proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and pigments.
Intended use: Aquaculture, biofuel and nutraceuticals.
Synechococcus spp.
Description: Synechococcus is a genus of marine and freshwater cyanobacteria with small, coccoid cells.
Main components: Proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and pigments (phycobiliproteins, chlorophyll-a).
Intended use: Biofuel, CO2 sequestration and bioproducts.
Synechocystis spp.
Description: Synechocystis is a genus of cyanobacteria with spherical, immobile cells. They are commonly found in freshwater environments and can form biofilms.
Main components: Proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and pigments (phycobiliproteins, chlorophyll-a).
Intended use: Biofuel, CO2 sequestration, bioproducts and biotechnological research.
Tetraselmis spp.
Description: Tetraselmis is a genus of green microalgae with a characteristic four-flagellate, unicellular structure.
Main components: Proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and pigments.
Purpose: Aquaculture, biofuel and food supplement.
Thalassiosira pseudonana
Description: Thalassiosira pseudonana is a marine centric diatom.
Main components: Proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and pigments.
Intended use: Aquaculture, biofuel and nutraceuticals.
Tisochrysis lutea (formerly Isochrysis aff. galbana)
Description: Tisochrysis lutea is a unicellular, marine golden brown microalgae known for its high lipid content and growth rate.
Main components: Proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and pigments.
Intended use: Aquaculture, food supplement and biofuel.