MICROBIO ENGINEERING INC — Department of Agriculture SBIR Phase I: 8.699999999999999

Description

This project is a collaboration between MicroBio Engineering Inc. and Reed Mariculture Inc. theformer providing algal cultivation technology and microalgae feeds to be tested by the latter foraquaculture applications.Phase I of this project will demonstrate the cultivation and utilization offreshwater microalgae specifically diatoms for aquaculture feeds in hatchery and nurseryoperations. Freshwater species of Thalassiosira and Cyclotella obtained from culture collectionsand other sources will be tested for growth rates and productivity in laboratory batch and2 continuous cultures and selected strains will be cultivated in 3.5 m raceway ponds in a greenhouse.The objective is to obtain biomass productivity data over six months allowing extrapolation toyear-round production. Algae will be harvested by centrifugation and supplied to Reed MaricultureInc. as refrigerated concentrates and used to feed rotifers to demonstrate their suitability for usein aquaculture feed applications. Successful demonstration of the efficacy of using freshwaterdiatoms as feeds will allow a major reduction in costs by eliminating the expense of seawatersupply and recirculation.Phase II will demonstrate increased production rates to further reduce costs and increase outputs.Freshwater microalgae feed production will allow Reed Mariculture Inc. to retain its position asthe leading supplier of microalgae feeds to the hatcheries and nurseries worldwide protectingand expanding US jobs and exports.This project will also provide a stepping-stone towards thelonger-term development of bulk microalgae feeds for aquaculture to replace fish oil and otherhigh-value ingredients.