Microalgal biotechnology: New development in production facilities and products
1997
Vonshak, Avigad(Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (Israel). Institute for Desert Research Microalgal Biotechnology Sede-Boker Campus)
Chlorella products are still the biggest market. They are all oriented into the health food market. The market is fairly stable and no big increase in production is expected. Spirulina production is facing a constant increase of more than 20 percent per year in the last few years with the estimation of reaching more the 2000 M T per year in the year 2000. While the main market is still health food (70 percent) the part of feed additives and formulated product is constantly increasing. Dunaliella, which was the last product to be introduced in this market, was constantly growing in terms of production up to mid 1995. With the latest contradicting reports on the health benefits which were the main marketing claims behind the Dunaliella market a slow down in the sales was observed. It is hoped that with new medical studies pointing out the unique advantage of the natural beta-carotene this market will continue to develop. Yet a significant improvement in production process that will lead to reduction in cost of production will help in achieving this goal. Recent reports from different laboratories are pointing out the next algae that will most likely reach a commercial production stage. This is Haematococcus pluvialis for production of the pigment astaxanthin. Recent development in this field will be reported. The future of algal biotechnology rests, to a large extent, on two factors: a) The ability to reduce costs of production and thus make algal biomass a commodity traded in large quantities, not limited to the health food market. b). The development of suitable reactors. Closed systems have several advantages over open raceways.
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