BioMatNet Item: FAIR-CT96-1518 - Development of microalgal pigments for aquaculture

FAIR-CT96-1518
Development of microalgal pigments for aquaculture

To find similar Items, click on a keyword below:
FAIR Area 1.2 - Green Chemicals and Polymers Chain : Fine Chemicals

	Type of Project	Shared Cost
	Contract No	FAIR-CT96-1518
	Total Cost	1,031,000 ECU
	EC Contribution	900,000 ECU
	Start Date	01/09/97
	Duration	36 Months

Development of microalgal pigments for aquaculture

Objectives

This project concerns the development of a new, natural, astaxanthin product for the aquaculture industry in both European and worldwide markets. Aquaculture is a rapidly growing worldwide industry that involves the cultivation of marine and freshwater fish as well as shellfish and molluscs. It has been estimated that within a few years as much as 20% of the world fish production will derive from the aquaculture industry.

Astaxanthin is the primary source of pigmentation in salmonids, crustaceans and in ornamental fish. Normally carotenoids are obtained via the natural diet of organisms in the wild, however in aquaculture carotenoids have to be specifically added to their artificial diet. Recent studies have demonstrated the key role of dietary carotenoids in the health status of animals, including fish. Astaxanthin also acts as a natural anti-oxidant extending the shell-life and improving the quality of the final fish product. The aquaculture industry depends greatly on the production of high-quality products with pigmentation (accounting for 20-30% of total feed costs) and the ever-expanding world market is currently estimated at until recently been the only available form of this carotenoid. Alternative sources have been proposed, algal astaxanthin being the most suitable of these sources.

Technical Approach

Algal astaxanthin represents an effective; alternative source of this carotenoid for aquaculture for a number of key reasons:

Microalgal pigments are a logical step leading to natural pigmentation in aquaculture. Algal astaxanthin has similar characteristics to the natural dietary sources of carotenoid in wild salmon and trout in that it is present as esters and is the (3S, 3'S) stereoisomer.
Production and use of microalgal astaxanthin is an effective use of clean technology, driven by photosynthesis. It is essentially waste-free as the algal biomass can be fully integrated into feeds (not possible with other natural alternatives); i.e. no organic or inorganic residues are produced.
Extruded feeds have synthetic astaxanthin pre-mixed with a 30% loss. Micro-encapsulation can reduce this but uptake efficiency is reduced. Microalgae rich in astaxanthin can be incorporated in fish oil and sprayed after extrusion. This improves efficiencies and precludes the need for extraction.

Expected Results

Preliminary estimates show that once the process is optimised overall production costs may be 20-30% lower than the synthetic and yeast-based alternatives. This will be a key performance factor.

In addition, there is an increasing consumer move away from synthetic additives and towards using natural ingredients in the food and feed industries. Preliminary fish feeding trials throughout the world with algal astaxanthin have shown that it can be used as an effective pigment. However, these trials also identified that further work was needed to optimise product formulation and maximise uptake deposition and stability of algal-astaxanthin in commercial fish species to ensure the competitive nature of this product. The main aims of this project are: (I) to improve the efficacy of feed formulations for the use of algal astaxanthin in the aquaculture industry, and (ii) to scale up methodologies for fresh water microalgal production of astaxanthin. A multidisciplinary approach will be taken to ensure that both aims are fully addressed and their deliverables met.

Results To Date

Two novel photobioreactors for the cultivation of freshwater microalgae have been designed, constructed and biologically commissioned. The AAPS (Advanced Algal Production System) has been used to produce astaxanthin-rich cells of Haematococcus very efficiently. Feed trials with rainbow trout and gilthead seabream have demonstrated that algal sources of astaxanthin can pigment the skin and flesh of commercial fish species.

Cultivation of astaxanthin-rich microalga
Haematococcus pluvialis in a 30 litre air-lift bioreactor

Contacts

Coordinator

Liverpool John Moores University, Carotenoid Research Group School of Biological and Earth Sciences / UNITED KINGDOM

EC Scientific Officer

Ciarán MANGAN / European Commission - DG Research Quality of Life Programme - Unit B1.2 / BELGIUM

Participant