ARTICLE
Algae Cultivation
via a Novel Photobioreactor and Harvest Apparatus for Sustainable Aquaculture By: Pure Biomass Inc* Algae can be used as a replacement for fish oil and fishmeal, which aquaculture relies heavily on as a source of protein and fatty acids in formulated fish foods. In fact, microalgae are the primary producers of highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) for the entire global food chain, marine and terrestrial segments combined. Because algae cultivation can make up 30-40% of a hatchery’s operating expenses, improvements in algae production can lead to significant savings and a better bottom line for the business. Due to the rising costs of these wild ingredients and their finite supply, new alternatives are needed.
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icroalgae cultivation has long been an integral part of hatchery operations for the production of finfish, shellfish, and other aquaculture species. Marine consumers of microalgae include: oysters (all developmental stages), abalone, sea urchin, conch, penaeid shrimp larvae, sea monkeys, and zooplanktonic live prey (e.g. rotifers), which are cultivated as food for finfish larvae. Additionally, algae have shown potential as supplementary ingredients in formulated feeds as a natural source of vitamins, amino acids, and the pigment molecule astaxanthin, which is responsible for the pink coloration of salmonid flesh. Algae can also be used as a replacement for fish oil and fishmeal, which aquaculture relies heavily on as a source of protein and fatty acids in formulated fish foods. Due to the rising costs of these wild ingredients and their finite supply, new alternatives are needed. While terrestrial crops such as wheat, corn, and soy can be substituted for a portion of the marine-derived ingredients, these crops lack the highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) (e.g. DHA, EPA, and AA) that fish oil and fish meal provide. Microalgae, however, can provide these HUFA’s as well as protein. In fact, microalgae are the primary producers of HUFA for the entire global food chain, marine and terrestrial segments combined. Given the key role that algae cultivation plays in aquaculture and its rising potential, Pure Biomass Inc. is focused on delivering state-of-theart, yet affordable algae cultivation systems to help aquafarmers improve the quality, reliability, and productivity of their algae production process. Because algae cultivation can make up 30-40% of a hatchery’s operating expenses, improvements in algae production can lead to significant savings and a better bottom line for the business. AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2020
