Microalgae will change the world industry

In the future, the production of microalgae in the world will grow steadily every year. This is the forecast of Future Market Insights. This is due to the growing demand among consumers for organic, nutritious foods and biologically active additives (BAS). The company's research shows that by 2031 the market will reach 135 million US dollars. Another industry that accelerates the production of microalgae is agriculture. In this sector, the production of biological stimulants with the help of microorganisms is gaining momentum.

Now environmentally friendly, natural biologicals based on microalgae will be produced in the country. A research project headed by the Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Professor, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan Bolathan Zaya also works in this direction. The main novelty of this project, entitled "Development of biologically active additives and biostimulants for use in agriculture and food industry based on microalgae" is the development of safe bio preparations for many industries.

KNOW-HOW

According to the scientist, microalgae and cyanobacteria, which belong to the group of phototrophic microorganisms, are a source of many valuable biologically active compounds. There is also great interest in obtaining safe bio preparations in the agricultural, medical, cosmetic and food industries. They are characterized by immunomodulatory, antioxidant, antimetastatic effects, which inhibits the development of cancer in humans and animals. Biologically active additives based on microalgae - natural, affordable, environmentally friendly preventive biological products. Such microorganisms do not cause adverse reactions and have no contraindications.

Competitive GS

The competitiveness of this project is determined by the special properties of the above-mentioned microalgae and the advantages of their cultivation technology (cheap nutrient medium, sunlight, inexpensive equipment). The proposed project has no analogues in the country. Biotechnology of microalgae is well developed in the USA, Japan, India, Russia, China, the Czech Republic and other countries. There are no enterprises in Kazakhstan that produce biologicals based on microalgae and other phototrophic microorganisms. The project has great commercial prospects and high potential for commercialization. Products made from microalgae are used in agro-industrial sectors, including poultry farms, pig farms, livestock farms, fisheries and food industry, pharmacology, medicine.

Bolatkhan Kazykhanuly explained that the preparation of biostimulants and GMOs from microalgae is carried out in several stages. First of all, screening is carried out for biomass productivity and accumulation of bioactive substances in newly isolated and collection strains of microalgae and cyanobacteria. To do this, the growth rate of newly isolated and collecting strains of phototrophic microorganisms, the growth of biomass and their ability to accumulate bioactive substances are studied.

- In order to obtain food and medical treatment-and-prophylactic biologics, the cells of selected strains of microalgae and cyanobacteria contain biologically active substances, such as amino acids, enzymes, pigments (carotene, phycocyanin, fucoxanthin), fatty acids, vitamins, polysaccharides, etc. biochemical analysis is performed. Optimization of conditions for the cultivation of strains of phototrophic microorganisms contributes to increased productivity. At the next stage, the assessment of pathogenicity and toxicity of biological products based on highly productive microalgae and cyanobacteria. The biological effects of such biological drugs will be determined and safety criteria in terms of pathogenicity and toxicity will be assessed, - said the project manager.

The biological activity of selected strains of cyanobacteria and microalgae is determined to obtain immunomodulators. In the laboratory, the effect of therapeutic and prophylactic active complexes obtained on the basis of raw biomass of microalgae and cyanobacteria on the body of experimental animals is studied.

The composition is nutritious

According to the scientist, microalgae contain 50-70% of easily digestible protein (up to 50% in meat and 15-17% in wheat), up to 30% lipids, more than 40% glycerin, up to 8-14% pigments, including carotene.

- And the concentration of vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, E, K, D is higher than in other plants or animals. Food microalgae are an indispensable source of proteins, essential amino acids, phytosterols, carbohydrates and vitamins. Its polyunsaturated fatty acids are rich in gamma-linolenic acid. In addition, there are bioactive compounds and other useful compounds. They have unique biochemical and physiological properties. It is also rich in pigments such as chlorophyll, alpha and beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin and astaxanthin, phycocyanin. It is often used in medicine, nutrition, nutrition and cosmetics due to its antioxidant and anti-tumor properties, - says Bolatkhan Kazykhanuly.

Project Manager "In what field in the world is the production of microalgae and what are the results?" He also answered our question.

Its place in the world market

- For example, the European Commission reports that algae biomass, including macro- and microalgae, accounts for 40% of the total market of biostimulants. Algae has become a popular raw material for many products in the pharmaceutical, chemical and food industries. For the past 50 years, GEA - Engineering for a Better World - has supported research and development and high-quality processing technology startups and algae producers that meet strict industry standards. Together with the customer, GEA has developed a special separation process for the commercial production of high-quality biomass from microalgae for the feed and food industries. Biotechnology of microalgae is well developed in the USA, Japan, India, the Russian Federation, China, the Czech Republic and other countries. The technology of production of food and medical biologicals is developed mainly in the United States, the Czech Republic, Japan, China and other countries around the world, - said the academician.

Recently, the demand for organic pure foods in the consumer market has increased. This encourages agricultural entities to reconsider the types of fertilizers. And the biostimulator prepared by KazNU specialists proved to be fully modern.

Quality according to the standard

According to Professor Bolathan Zayadan, a biostimulator based on microalgae is beneficial for agriculture. This is because the use of microalgae in animal husbandry as a source of protein, vitamins and other physiologically active substances creates immunity in animals that can withstand various diseases. First of all, it increases endurance due to vitamin deficiency, regulates metabolic processes.

- This will increase the volume and quality of products sold. Within the framework of this project and previous research in the field, the following patents and state standards were obtained on the basis of Spirulina platensis cyanobacteria: STI SRI of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan 399243387-2009, Gosstandart. ST53281-1910-GP-01-2013, MPK A23K1 / 16, C12N 1/12 State standard for spirulina-enriched bread. Development of a biologically active feed mixture based on selenium-enriched spirulina suspension to increase chicken egg production. №0348.1 / 2013, MPK A23K1 / 16, C12N1 / 12. A selenium-enriched spirulina biomass-based feed supplement to increase the benefits of broiler chickens. №0347.1 / 2013 Patents were obtained. In addition, based on the results published scientific papers (monographs, articles, textbooks). This is evidence of the research work done by the research team on the proposed project, - said the project manager.

Increases resistance to abiotic stress 

The scientist said that the biostimulatory activity of microalgae biomass extracts is associated with the composition of primary metabolites, basic amino acids such as arginine and tryptophan, vitamins, osmolytes called proline, glycine betaine and polysaccharides called β-glucan.

- Interestingly, several strains of microalgae belonging to the families Charophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Trebouxiophyceae and Ulvophyceae were characterized by similar activity to phytohormones. These include auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins, abscisic acid and brassinosteroids. Natural phytohormones in microalgae are important factors in improving plant growth, productivity and the immune response. In particular, it can be considered as an opportunity to increase protection against abiotic stress. In addition, the use of these potential agents can reduce the harmful effects of abiotic stress, such as salinity and drought, - says Professor B. Zayadan.

"We can introduce in domestic production"

According to Bolatkhan Kazykhanuly, the use of phototrophic microorganisms for the production of food and medicine is a modern requirement. Because such microorganisms can be used to make new dietary supplements and immunostimulants. There is an opportunity to obtain new biologicals by conducting applied research in this area.

- In the case of Kazakhstan, there are no obstacles to the technological implementation of our project. If we get the appropriate funding, our team is ready to start production of a test batch of this biological product. And to sell the finished product, you need the support of commercial companies. Only a few scientific works on the biotechnological aspects of the use of phototrophic microorganisms are known in our country, in particular, the technology of mass cultivation for the use of some active strains of microalgae as a feed additive in laboratory and semi-industrial conditions is not yet fully funded.

Gives a tone to the industry 

Research in the field of industrial cultivation of microalgae began in the 60s and 70s of the last century.

- However, even today, despite the achievements in the development of phototrophic biotechnology, more than 30 thousand species of microalgae known to science have not been fully studied. Further development of economic aspects of microalgae biotechnology will affect a number of areas: pharmacologically active drugs, cosmetics and dietary products, cell engineering, environmental rehabilitation technology, etc. Microalgae are safe and a source of many valuable compounds. Therefore, it is of great interest in the agricultural, medical, cosmetic and food industries. They have immunomodulatory, antioxidant, antimetastatic effects, inhibiting the development of cancer in humans and animals. Biologically active supplements based on these organisms are natural, affordable, environmentally friendly preventive biological products. It does not cause adverse reactions, there are no contraindications to its use, - says the project manager.

Microalgae are known for their various biological actions, such as antibacterial, antifungal, cytotoxic, immunosuppressive, anti-allergic properties and antiviral activity.

It should be noted that biostimulants based on microalgae biomass are a valuable tool, especially in the context of "Organic Agriculture", where natural resources are allowed.

According to Bolatkhan Kazykhanuly, it is economically viable to obtain biologically active additives based on microalgae.

- Because they do not need expensive equipment and nutrients to grow. Growth and enrichment of crops is carried out in a liquid nutrient medium containing mineral salts. Microalgae cultures grow in Tamia and 04 standard nutrient media with very low salt content. Strains of cyanobacteria BG-11, Zarruk and Gromov are grown under artificial lighting in a liquid medium. It is planned to carry out aeration with the help of BEYO air compressor. Distribution and storage of new axenic cultures is carried out in accordance with standard methods.

In general, the composition of standard nutrient media used for the cultivation of microalgae is closely related to the physiological characteristics of the growing conditions.

Kamila Duysen