What is microalgae?

Microalgae usually refer to microorganisms that contain chlorophyll a and are capable of photosynthesis. Their individual size is small and their morphology can only be identified under a microscope.

Microalgae are widely distributed in land, lakes, oceans, and other water bodies.

There are an estimated 1 million species of algae worldwide, while there are currently only over 40000 known species of microalgae.

Common economic microalgae include Haematococcus pluvialis, Chlorella vulgaris, Spirulina, etc.

What can microalgae do?

Bait

In the commercial production of shellfish fry in the marine economy, marine unicellular algae have been used as bait for shellfish larvae at different developmental stages. So far, living marine unicellular algae have always been considered the best bait for bivalve larvae and juveniles.

Purification of aquaculture water bodies

With the deepening promotion of intensive aquaculture models in China, most aquaculture water bodies are in a state of eutrophication all year round, and algal blooms frequently occur. As one of the most common types of algal blooms, blue-green algae have seriously restricted the healthy development of aquaculture. Cyanobacteria blooms have the characteristics of wide distribution, strong adaptability, and strong reproductive capacity. Cyanobacteria outbreaks consume a large amount of oxygen, causing a rapid decrease in water transparency. In addition, the metabolic process of blue-green algae also releases a large amount of toxins, seriously affecting the growth and reproduction of aquatic animals.

Chlorella belongs to the Chlorophyta phylum and is a single celled algae with a wide ecological distribution. Chlorella not only serves as an excellent natural bait for aquatic economic animals, but also absorbs elements such as nitrogen and phosphorus in water, reducing eutrophication levels and purifying water quality. At present, numerous studies on the treatment of wastewater by microalgae have shown that microalgae have good nitrogen and phosphorus removal effects. However, blue-green algae, which pose a serious threat in aquaculture, are products of high phosphorus and nitrogen in water bodies. Therefore, using microalgae to remove blue-green algae provides an ecological and safe new approach for treating blue-green algae blooms.

The experimental results indicate that Chlorella vulgaris can effectively remove nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus from water. Thus, the nutrient source of blue-green algae is fundamentally cut off in the aquaculture water, maintaining them at a lower level and inhibiting their outbreak. In addition, it is possible to increase the aeration of aquaculture water bodies and maintain the release of small algae in aquaculture water bodies, ultimately making small algae a competitive advantage species in aquaculture water bodies, thereby inhibiting the occurrence of blue-green algae blooms.

From the perspective of ecological environment and healthy development of aquatic industry, using beneficial algae competition to suppress blue-green algae blooms is the most promising method for algae control. However, current research is not yet perfect. In practical engineering for controlling blue-green algae blooms, a comprehensive selection of physical, chemical, and biological methods and adapting to local conditions is the best choice.

Energy conservation and emission reduction

Since the Industrial Revolution, humans have emitted a large amount of CO2 into the atmosphere, causing global warming. Microalgae have high photosynthetic efficiency, utilizing photosynthesis to fix carbon and produce organic matter, which slows down the greenhouse effect.

Health products and functional foods: tablets, powders, additives

Chlorella vulgaris

Chlorella has a significant promoting effect on the cure of many diseases and sub-health symptoms, including gastric ulcers, trauma, constipation, anemia, etc. The water extract of Chlorella vulgaris has obvious characteristics of promoting cell growth, so it is named Chlorella Growth Factor (CGF). Later studies have shown that CGF has the ability to enhance immunity, eliminate heavy metals in the human body, and lower blood sugar and blood pressure. In recent years, research has further demonstrated that Chlorella vulgaris also has many effects such as anti-tumor, antioxidant, and anti radiation. The application of Chlorella water extract in the pharmaceutical field may become one of the important directions for future research and industrial applications.

Spirulina (Spirulina)

Spirulina is non-toxic and harmless, and has been used as food by indigenous peoples near Lake Texcoco in ancient Mexico and Lake Chad in Africa. Spirulina has various effects on human health, such as lowering blood lipids, cholesterol, hypertension, anti-cancer, and promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestine. It has certain curative effect on diabetes and renal failure.