Large study on the extraction of food ingredients from algae

TNO and industrial algae producer Ingrepro Renewables B.V. are starting a joint research project to extract food ingredients from algae.

These food ingredients are mainly proteins that could be used as a sustainable alternative to meat, and healthy vegetable oils.

Additionally, the partners will examine if and how carbohydrates from algae can be used.

Currently, most of the initiatives for the use of algae are related to the oil as a potential replacement for fossil fuels.

The study should reveal how to extract the substances from the organisms on a large scale, before they are processed into sustainable chemicals or fuel.

The extraction process can lead tot an algae production system that is profitable and environmentally friendly.

In the research project, Ingrepro Renewables B.V. is responsible for the algae production and for setting up the biorefinery process.

TNO will develop the technologies for extraction and refining the oil, proteins and carbohydrates and will work on the possible applications of the ingredients.

This two-year project has a volume of EUR 1.5 million ($2.05 million), which is largely funded by the Biorefinery encouragement scheme of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV).

Algae have great potential as a sustainable source of food ingredients and fine chemicals.

The organisms not only use the greenhouse gas CO2 under the influence of sunlight, but also substances such as nitrate and phosphate.

If the last mentioned substances are used well, algae production is relatively inexpensive as well as good for the environment.