Algae are possibly one of the most useful organisms. In addition to the fact that algae are responsible for consuming most of the CO2 and releasing the most amount of oxygen that keeps us alive, algae are also being used in diverse industries and applications. One of the most important products that can be made from algae is biofuels and there are a number of companies working towards it.
However companies involved in the algae-to-fuels domain have started to realize that it could take much longer than originally expected to derive fuels from algae. Hence, as a starting point, many of these companies are exploring venturing into high value, non fuel products from algae. This allows them to generate profits fairly early into their venture while at the same time ensuring that they are able to continue with their efforts in sustainable fuel production.
Recognizing this trend and need for a comprehensive resource on algae products, Oilgae has come up with this report "Comprehensive Report on Attractive Product Opportunities"
The report provides an overview of the wide range of non-fuel applications of algae – both current and future prospects. It will provide entrepreneurs with an idea of how to derive more benefits from their algal energy ventures.
As a result of the wide range of applications and end uses of algae, a number of industries could derive synergistic benefits from the algae energy industry. For these industries, cultivating algae could mean that they are able to add value to their existing business while at the same time producing biofuels.
If your business belongs to one or more of the following sectors, algae products could prove to be an attractive business opportunity for you
| Industries that currently use algae for their products are:
| Agriculture & Farming
|
Algae-based Products Manufacturers Many industries that use algae use primarily the protein component of the algae. For these companies, algae fuel in the form of biodiesel presents an interesting opportunity: these companies can extract the oil (lipid) from algae for biodiesel and can use the deoiled algae cake rich in proteins for their products . For those industries that use the lipids in algae, they can consider using the left-over biomass for producing fuels such as ethanol or other hydrocarbons. | Cosmetics Manufacturers Algae has become an increasingly important ingredient for a cross-section of cosmetic and personal care ingredients, and is emerging as a segment with several opportunities for development. Cosmetics manufacturers can use algae in their products through three main routes: as raw materials; as bulk extracts for formulation; and as specialised functional ingredients. Each of these is associated with a different size of industry. |
Feed Manufacturers Microalgae are rich in protein and many strains possess a desirable amino acid profile. Many animal and fish feed companies are now beginning to explore algae as a protein source. One of the fastest growing segments of algae applications is the aquaculture. Indeed many fish feed manufacturers are now looking at algae as a source to displace the highly unsustainable protein source fish meal in aquaculture. | Chemical Industries Following is the list of companies which can consider using algae as a source for their chemical requirements.
|
Pharmaceutical Companies The major pharmaceutical compounds from algae which are currently being commercialized or under consideration for commercial extraction include carotenoids, phycobilins, fatty acids, polysaccharides, vitamins, sterols, and biologically active molecules for use in human and animal health.The vast untapped potential of algae in pharmaceuticals provides opportunities for many pharmaceutical companies to develop novel high value products from algae and benefit significantly. | Sewage and Water Treatment Companies
|
| Companies Producing Animal Waste Many companies that produce large quantities of animal waste use the waste in digesters to produce methane, which in turn is used as a heating fuel. Using large quantities of methane gives out CO2 which can be used to grow algae. Algae can also grow in the liquid effluents released from the anaerobic digesters. The additional benefit these companies get is that they can use the de-oiled algae meal as animal feed (Pork, Poultry, Meat and Diary) | Polluting Industries
|
Some of the non-fuel products from algae that are detailed in the report include:
| Nutraceuticals | a) Astaxanthin b) Betacarotene c) Poly unsaturated fatty acid (DHA and EPA) d) CoenzymeQ10 |
| Pharmaceuticals | Pharmaceutical proteins , Antimicrobials, Antivirals & Antifungals and Neuroprotective Products |
| Cosmetics | a) Anti-cellulite b) Alguronic acid |
| Hydrocolloids | Agar, Alginate, Carrageenan |
| Biopolymers and Bioplastics from Algae | |
| Animal and Fish | Feed Shrimp Feed, Shellfish Diet, Marine Fish Larvae Cultivation, Livestock Feed |
| Dyes and Colorants from Algae | |
| Chemicals, Lubricants from Algae | |
| Paper from Algae |
Microalgae & Macroalgae.
1.1 Introduction.
1.2 Microalgae.
1.2.1 Composition of Microalgae.
1.2.2 Microalgae and Cyanobacteria Products.
1.3 Macroalgae.
1.3.1 Composition of Macroalgae.
1.3.2 Products from Macroalgae.
1.4 Comparison between Macroalgae and Microalgae.
Algae Cultivation.
2.1 Introduction & Concepts.
2.2 Macroalgae Cultivation.
2.2.1 Macroalgae Cultivation Systems.
2.2.2 Feasibility of Cultivating Macroalgae on a Large Scale.
2.3 Microalgae Cultivation.
2.3.1 Algae Cultivation in Various Scales.
2.3.1.1 Algae Cultivation in Lab Scale.
2.3.1.2 Algae Cultivation on a Commercial Scale.
2.3.2 Algae Cultivation – Factoids.
2.3.3 Algae Cultivation Challenges & Efforts.
Algae Harvesting.
3.1 Microalgae Harvesting.
3.1.1Prominent Harvesting Practices for Microalgae.
3.1.2 Trends & Latest in Harvesting Microalgae.
3.2 Macroalgae Harvesting.
3.2.1 Prominent Harvesting Practices for Macroalgae.
3.2.2 Methods Employed for Harvesting Specific Macroalgal Strains.
Algae Drying.
4.1 Methods of Drying Algae.
4.2 Other Methods of Drying.
Algae Products and Market – An Overview..
5.1 Energy Products from Algae.
5.2 Non- Energy Products from Algae.
5.3 Microalgae Market
5.3.1 High Value Products from Microalgae.
5.4 Macro algae Market
Algae Nutraceuticals.
Summary of Algae Nutraceutical Products.
6.1 Single Cell Protein (SCP)
6.1.1 Spirulina.
6.1.2 Chlorella.
6.2 Omega-3 Fatty Acids.
6.3 Carotenoids.
6.3.1 Astaxanthin.
6.3.2 Beta-Carotene.
6.3.3 Lutein.
6.3.4 Zeaxanthin.
6.3.5 Lycopene.
6.3.6 Canthaxanthin.
6.3.7Fucoxanthin.
Algae in Pharmaceuticals. 139
7.1 Algae - Anti-microbial Agents.
7.2 Algae as an Antibacterial Agent
7.3 Algae as Anti-fungal Agents.
7.4 Antimicroalgal Action.
7.5 Algae as Antiviral Agents.
7.6 Anti-obesity and anti-diabetic agents.
7.7 Anti-inflammatory agents.
7.8 Anti-adhesive therapies.
7.9 Radioactive protection.
7.10 Neuroprotective Products.
7.11 Human Therapeutic Proteins.
7.12 Other applications of algae in pharmaceuticals.
7.2 Methods of extraction of bioactive compounds from algae.
Algae as/in Food and Feed.
8.1 Microalgae as/in Food.
8.2 Seaweeds for Food.
8.3 Hydrocolloids.
8.3.1 Sea Weed Hydrocolloids.
8.3.2 Agar.
8.3.3 Alginates.
8.3.4 Carrageenan.
8.4 Food Colourants.
8.5 Other Applications.
8.6 Algae as Feed.
8.6.1 Animal Feed.
8.6.2Fish Feed.
9.1 Important Cosmetics from Algae.
9.2 Fucoidans.
9.3 Anticellulite.
9.4 Skin care, sun protection.
Environmental Applications of Algae.
10.1 Algae-Based Wastewater Treatment
10.2 Biofilters for fish pond effluents.
10.3 CO2 Capture Using Algae.
Novel Applications in Other Industries.
11.1 Algae Chemicals.
11.2 Dyes and Colourants.
11.3 Solvents.
11.4 Biopolymers and Bioplastics.
11.5 Algae Textiles.
11.6 Pigments.
11.6.1 Phycocyanin.
11.6.2 Chlorophyll
11.7 Lubricants.
11.8 Other Applications of Algae.
Companies and Universities Asssociated with Algae Products.
12.1 Summary of Companies Associated with Algae Products
12.2 Prominent Companies Working on Non Fuel Products.
12.3 Companies Associated in the Algae Nutraceuticals Sector.
12.4 Companies Associated in the Health/Pharmaceutical Sector.
12.5 Companies in the Algae Textiles and Chemicals Sector:
12.6 Companies Associated with the Algae Food or Feed Industry.
12.7 Other Companies.
12.8 Universities Working on Algae Non fuel Products.
Industries with Synergistic Benefits from Algae Energy Opportunities.
- Algae are possibly one of the most useful organisms. In addition to the fact that algae are responsible for consuming most of the CO2 and releasing the most amount of oxygen that keeps us alive, algae are also being used in diverse industries and applications.
- It has been estimated that between 200,000 and 800,000 species of microalgae exist, of which approximately 50,000 species have been described.
- Over 15,000 individual compounds have been identified in microalgae masses are believed to be responsible for producing numerous useful products
- A plethora of products can be derived from algae starting from biofuels to cosmetics.
- Several high-value microalgae products are already well established in the market place and there are clear opportunities for additional new products.
- Around 35,000 tons of microalgal dry mass are processed in the three market segments, "diet", "food", "cosmetics". More than 85 percent of biomass is used in the application areas "functionalised foods" and "food supplements".
- A large market for aquaculture feeds could be developed for micro-algae biomass containing long chain omega-3 fatty acids, replacing fish meal and oil, but for this production costs must be reduced from the current $50-$100 to $1-2/kg of algal biomass.
- Pharmaceuticals are the fastest growing section of the market, but as yet there are only two approved omega 3 based pharmaceuticals in the world, which together account for 1.6% of consumption with nearly US $ 1.5 billion in sales. Other EPA and DHA based triglyceride reduction products are under development, but it will take some time before these achieve regulatory approval and eventual commercialization
- The current wholesale market price for algae omega-3 oil is about US$ 140/kg which is higher than the pricing for fish oil derived products. The Global Organisation for EPA and DHA and Frost and Sullivan (2010) estimated that the global market for EPA and DHA omega-3 oils exceeded 85,000 t in 2009 and was estimated to grow to 135,000-190,000 t by 2015
- Although >95% of the astaxanthin market consumes synthetically derived astaxanthin, consumer demand for natural products makes the synthetic pigments much less desirable and provides an opportunity for the production of natural astaxanthin by Haematococcus.
- Some of the top players such as Asta Real and Fuji Health have doubled its production capacity recently owing to the increasing demand of astaxanthin
- Lutein is a carotenoid extracted from algae, which is receiving increased interest because of its potential role in preventing the onset of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the growing aging population. The market value of lutein was around $233 million in 2010 and is expected to reach $309 million by 2018.
- Many chemically unique compounds of marine algae with antimicrobial activity have been isolated and a number of them are under investigation and/or are being developed as new pharmaceuticals
- Algae are also used for highly specialised markets including pharmaceutical applications and the production of enzymes and toxin products. These generally have product values in the range US$ 4000-8000/kg.
- In cosmetics, algae act as thickening agents, water-binding agents, and antioxidants. Carrageenans are extracted from red algae, and alginates from the brown algae. Other forms of algae, such as Irish moss, contain proteins, vitamin A, sugar, starch, vitamin B1, iron, sodium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper and calcium. These are all beneficial for skin, either as emollients or antioxidants.
- Algae based carbon capture is still in its infancy, as investors and engineers continue to develop the financing and technological wherewithal to plan the long-term feasibility of this technology.
- Using algae for waste water treatment has been shown to be a more cost effective way to reduce biochemical oxygen demand, pathogens, phosphorus and nitrogen than activated sludge
- The production of industrial chemicals from microalgae is still in its infancy, with many more breakthroughs still to come.
- Algae based added value commodities such as lactic acid, polyhydroxyalkanoates (both used e.g. for production of bioplastics) and butanol price ranges from US $1300 to US $7000 per tonne.
| High-value | Medium-High value | Low to Medium value |
|---|---|---|
| Nutraceuticals a) Astaxanthin b) Betacarotene c) Omega-3 fatty acid ( DHA and EPA) d) CoenzymeQ10 | Nutraceuticals Spirulina and Chlorella | Fertilizer and Animal Feed a) Aquaculture feed ( Shrimp feed, Shellfish Feed, Marine Fish Larve cultivation ) b) Animal Feed c) Fertilizer |
| Pharmaceuticals a) Antimicrobials, Antivirals and Antifungals b) Neuroprotective Products | Hydrocolloids - Agar, Alginate, Carrageenan | Substitutes for Synethetics - Biopolymers and Bioplastics - Lubricants |
| Cosmetics a) Anti-cellulite b) Skin Anti-ageing and sensitive skin treatment – Alguronic acid | Chemicals - Paints, Dyes and Colourants | Bioremediation Wastewater treatment and nutrient credits CO2 capture and carbon credits |
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário
Observação: somente um membro deste blog pode postar um comentário.