Growing micro-algae in fermenters: PIERRE at the forefront of innovation
Among marine organisms, microalgae offer numerous advantages for use in a wide range of fields: bioenergy, the food industry, health products, cosmetics, energy and environmental protection. For many years, PIERRE GUERIN has supplied equipment for the production of oil by fermentation of microalgae.
Microalgae are known for producing fatty acids as a reserve substance. Faced with an environment that is unfavourable to their growth, they store their energy in these long-chain carbon molecules while waiting for better days.
Growing microalgae in the perfectly controlled environment of a fermenter makes it possible to reproduce their natural behaviour and exploit their metabolism for the industrial production of molecules, particularly fatty acids.
Fermentation processes using microalgae have thus become important contributors to the production of oils for human and animal consumption, complementing traditional sources that may be limited in quantity or quality. In particular, some microalgae can accumulate significant quantities of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid with well-documented health benefits.
DHA, which the human body cannot produce, is particularly important for brain function, vision and foetal development. As DHA gains in popularity and its essential role in our diet becomes better understood, there is a growing trend towards its use as a food additive or supplement. DHA-rich oil produced by fermenting microalgae has proved to be a reliable alternative to traditional fish oil.
Producing fatty acids in a fermenter means achieving unrivalled productivity and quality, preserving dwindling fish stocks and avoiding any risk of contamination by heavy metals, which tend to accumulate in fish oil.
The development of precision fermentation and the possibility of bioengineering microalgae strains opens up new prospects with the potential to produce other fatty acids using economically viable and sustainable processes.
_________________________
More information : PIERRE GUERIN's activity of blue bio-technologies
Photos : Fermentalg
