in today's society, everyone likes to play cross-border, why? Because cross-border is not restricted by the inherent mode and thinking mode of the industry, more imagination and creativity can be generated in generate. In the field of biology, if there is another kind of creature that spans multiple industries and plays cross-border development. Microalgae, none other than him.
microalgae, an ancient life form, the main creator of oxygen in the evolution of the earth, the common primitive ancestor in the evolution of higher plants, nearly 90% of the oxygen producers in the earth's ecosystem, and the main contributor to primary productivity, Everywhere, "omnipotent", "foot on" multiple industries, playing cross-border development, god-like existence.
- what is microalgae
as its name implies, microalgae are tiny algae.. The so-called "tiny" usually refers to the general need to use a microscope to observe the individual shape. So what is algae? Algae usually refers to aquatic, photosynthetic lower "plants". Like plants, microalgae have photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll, etc.), which can perform photosynthesis, that is, use sunlight, carbon dioxide and water to synthesize biomass and grow, but microalgae have no differentiation of roots, stems, and leaves. According to the contradictory law of the unity of opposites, if there are microalgae, there must be large algae, such as the familiar kelp and laver.
different kinds of algae
microalgae. However, the number of microalgae that have been commercially produced is not very large. There are mainly spirulina, Chlorella, Haematococcus pluvialis, Dunaliella, Cryptosidal, Microphyllococcus, etc., as well as some marine microalgae, such as flagellate algae, tricornus, flatella, horned algae, sea chain algae, etc. These marine microalgae are mainly used as biological bait in the aquatic industry.
Microalgae"
(Spirulina, Chlorella, Haematococcus pluvialis, Dunaliella salina)
- Microalgae
microalgae depends on the function or ability of microalgae. In short, the main abilities of microalgae are as follows:
- and efficient photosynthesis
Microalgae can efficiently use light energy, carbon dioxide and water for photosynthesis, produce oxygen and synthesize carbohydrates, and through further biochemical reactions, synthesize proteins, oils and other nutrients. Compared with other plants (corn, soybean, etc.), the growth rate of microalgae is faster, and the biomass per unit land area is more. At the same time, microalgae absorb a large amount of inorganic elements such as nitrogen and phosphorus during their growth. Therefore, microalgae can be used as food to fix carbon, purify air and treat wastewater.
- synthesis of biologically active substances
microalgae can also synthesize many unique bioactive substances, suchunsaturated fatty acids (DHA, EPA, AA, etc.), carotenoids (β-carotene, astaxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, etc.), pigment-protein complex (phycocyanin, algae red protein, etc.), polysaccharides, active peptides, etc. These biologically active substances are very beneficial to the human body, such as unsaturated fatty acids (typically called "brain gold" DHA), which have the effects of regulating blood lipids, preventing cardiovascular diseases, and promoting the development of brain cells in infants and young children.
- Microalgae
- food industry
Food and Food Additives
microalgae is rich in carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals and other energy and nutrients, such as Spirulina and Chlorella, the protein content can generally reach 50 ~ 70% of the dry weight of cells. At present, microalgae are often considered as Superfood food or future food. In fact, residents near Lake Chad in Africa have eaten spirulina for thousands of years. In the early 1960s, during the famine period in our country, there was a wave of breeding Chlorella as food to satisfy hunger. At present, the microalgae that can be used as food mainly include Spirulina, Chlorella, Rosacea (Fucai, Pueraria lobata), etc. In addition to making spirulina and chlorella into algae powder or pressing into tablets, they can usually be added to other foods, such as microalgae noodles, microalgae bread, microalgae snacks, etc.
Chlorella granules and algae tablets (top) and spirulina cakes and snacks (bottom)
edible oil
Under specific culture conditions, some microalgae can synthesize a large amount of oil and oil, which can be used as edible oil after extraction and deep processing. At present, the United States has successfully developed microalgae edible oil. Compared with other plant edible oils, microalgae edible oil has a higher content of unsaturated fatty acids (which is beneficial to the human body), and the smoke point temperature is higher (that is, in general Under the cooking temperature range, less oil fume is produced).
microalgae edible oil
- Biomedical Health Industry
nutritional supplement
Chlorella and Spirulina are the most common nutritional supplements on the market. Their main effects on the human body are protein, active peptides, carotenoids, vitamins, minerals, etc.
bioactive substances in microalgae, such as astaxanthin, β-carotene, DHA, EPA, etc. are often extracted and refined into capsules. Astaxanthin is known as the "king of antioxidants" and has the effect of scavenging oxygen free radicals in the human body.
Generally speaking, eating microalgae and microalgae products has the probability of supplementing human nutrition, improving immunity, enhancing physical fitness, and preventing cardiovascular diseases, but they do not have the magic effect of "omnipotent" promoted by some direct sales or sales..
Haematococcus pluvialis powder, astaxanthin capsule, algal oil DHA capsule
- aquatic industry
biological bait
In the process of aquatic seedling, microalgae, mainly diatoms and golden algae, are often used as open bait for shellfish, shrimps and fish larvae. At the same time, microalgae is also commonly used in animal secondary bait (such as rotifers, Artemia, cladocerans, etc.) to strengthen the nutrition, mainly to improve the nutritional content of animal bait, especially the content of unsaturated fatty acids, and then feed it to Aquatic seedlings.bait microalgae can significantly improve the survival rate of aquatic seedlings, ensure the normal metamorphosis and development of larvae, enhance immunity and promote the growth of seedlings..
Microalgae in Aquatic Seedling and Culture
water regulating agent
microalgae are often used as water regulating agents in aquaculture, I .e. regulating and controlling the water quality of aquaculture. Microalgae can absorb inorganic salts such as nitrogen and phosphorus in the aquaculture water body, release oxygen at the same time, and increase the dissolved oxygen in the water body. In addition, algae can also be directly eaten by zooplankton and certain fish. Therefore,microalgae can purify water quality, improve dissolved oxygen, inhibit harmful microorganisms, and ensure the stability and health of aquaculture water bodies.. At present, the microalgae used as water regulating agent mainly include Chlorella and diatom.
diatoms and green algae form yellow-green water (left) and green algae water (right)
aquatic feed
microalgae are rich in protein and unsaturated fatty acids,can therefore replace fish meal and fish oil in aquatic feed.. In addition, adding microalgae to aquatic feed can significantly improve the color of ornamental fish and shrimp.
microalgae feed
aquatic vaccine
At present, many research institutions and enterprises are developing and using algae cells to produce aquatic vaccines, and then feeding microalgae directly to aquatic animals to prevent and avoid large-scale diseases of aquatic animals.
- agriculture industry
animal feed
microalgae are rich in nutrition and can be used as additives for poultry feed,improve meat quality, improve nutrition, enhance immunity of poultry and livestock, and reduce disease probability. At present, many enterprises have added microalgae to chicken feed to produce high-quality eggs rich in unsaturated fatty acids.
common egg (left) and microalgae egg (right)
biological fertilizer
Microalgae Biological Fertilizer and Establishment of Soil Microecosystem by Microalgae, enhance soil nutrition, improve soil quality, thus promoting plant growth, improve yield and quality of agricultural products. At present, there are commercial microalgae biofertilizers.
kidney bean plants without microalgae biofertilizer (left) and microalgae biofertilizer (right)
- skin care and cosmetics industry
skin care products
Haematococcus pluvialis is added to skin care products due to its strong antioxidant properties,has the functions of anti-wrinkle and skin aging, anti-shrouding, anti-ultraviolet, etc.. At the same time, microalgae extraction mixtures, mainly protein, fatty acids, carotene, polysaccharides, etc. are also often used as additives for skin care and cosmetics,has the function of removing aging skin cells and keeping skin healthy.. At present, there are already many skin care and cosmetics containing microalgae active ingredients on the market, such as the U.S. trade name "Alguronic Acid" cosmetics products.
- materials industry
bioplastics
microalgae are directly mixed with resin to produce foam plastic, which has been commercialized and produced. For details, please refer to the previous period of this public number.
shoes made of microalgae plastic
- environmental protection industry
biological carbon sequestration
use the ability of microalgae to absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthetic growth to realize biological carbon sequestration of carbon dioxide discharged from factories and coal-fired power plants,Carbon Emission Reduction and Recycling of Biological Resources. At present, the application of this technology is a hot topic, in the pilot and demonstration stage, and has not yet realized large-scale application and industrialization.
Demonstration System of Microalgae Carbon Fixation Next to German Cement Plant
wastewater treatment
, like microalgae biological carbon fixation, the use of microalgae for wastewater treatment is also a hot topic. Using the function of microalgae to absorb organic matter and nitrogen and phosphorus in wastewater can greatly reduce the content of COD, total nitrogen and total phosphorus in wastewater. With China's increasingly stringent requirements for environmental protection, high environmental pressure will greatly promote the development of this technology. At present, microalgae wastewater treatment technology is in the demonstration and popularization stage.
- energy industry
bioenergy
the ability of microalgae to accumulate oil, the oil in the algae cell can be extracted or the whole algae body can be liquefied by water and heat, and can be produced after further processing and refining.biodiesel. In addition, microalgae are used as raw materials and can be produced by fermentation.fuel ethanol, or produced by anaerobic fermentationmethane, or combustionbiomass power generation, also canMicroalgae. The prospect of using microalgae to produce material energy is very good, but it is very difficult, mainly because the cost is too high. It is currently in the pilot and demonstration stage, and it may take some time before commercial application.
- Architecture and Art Industry
- microalgae building
Germany built the world's first building incorporating microalgae. A photobioreactor is embedded in the south wall surface of the building for the cultivation of microalgae.microalgae harvested for burning heat,heating the building, the carbon dioxide produced by the combustion at the same time is returned to the microalgae as a carbon source for the growth of the microalgae, and the carbon recycling is realized. At the same time,on the surface of buildings can shade, insulate rooms and reduce outside noise..
microalgae buildings in Germany
- Aerospace Industry
Controlled Ecological Life Support System
controlled ecological life support system (Controlledecological life support system,CELSS) is an artificial miniature closed ecosystem, that is, the autonomous circulation and self-sufficiency of materials in the space capsule, so as to continuously supply the food, oxygen and water needed for the survival of astronauts.microalgae can be provided for astronauts to breathe, and the carbon dioxide produced can be re-absorbed by the algae to achieve circulation. At the same time, the microalgae can also be used as food for astronauts to eat..
- microalgae in various industries
deficiencies and defects, but also hope to understand and correct
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