Pilot-scale cultivation of microalgae for the production of nutraceuticals

Microorganisms, such as algae, yeast, and bacteria, have the potential to produce nutraceutical, biofuel, and other high-value coproducts directly and efficiently. The difficulty in realizing this potential lies in a) finding the optimal conditions to maximize algae growth and co-product production, and b) scaling up from experiments in a research laboratory to an economically viable production. This project aims to address both of these difficulties to develop a pilot-scale microorganism production platform technology. The project will first focus on the growth of the microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis and inducing its production of the powerful antioxidant nutraceutical astaxanthin. Methodologies for this growth and induction, as well as other considerations such as harvesting techniques and product characterization, will be developed with the target of large-scale production. These procedures and practices will then be applied and adapted to the production of additional microorganisms and valuable co-products.

Faculty Supervisor:

David B Levin;David Levin

Student:

Partner:

Myera Nu-Agri-Nomics Group Canada Inc

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Agriculture

University:

University of Manitoba

Program: