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Algae production systems: characteristics and benefits
Rui Pereira
OVERVIEW
Some basic notions about seaweed
Seaweed Aquaculture in Global Aquaculture
Seaweed Biology and seaweed farming
ALGAplus systems and IMTA benefits
Seaweed production systems - comparison
Final considerations
BASIC NOTIONS
• Over 10,000 species described
• Very diverse morphology
• Photosynthetic capcity
• Food and shelter for marine animals
BASIC NOTIONS
Phylum: Rhodophyta
6000 spp
Alginates, Fucoidan
Laminarine
Mannitol
Carotenoids, Fucoxanthin
Cellulose, Pectin, Ulvan
Starch
Carotenoids, Xanthophyll
Agar, Carrageenan, Calcium carbonate (some)
Floridean Starch
Phycoerythrin, Phycocyanin
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
Chile: • 12 100 BC – food and medicine
Japan: • Since first historical records used as food • 17th Century – used as “currency” for tax payment • 18th century – First “cultivation” of Porphyra sp. (=nori).
Europe: • Fertilizers, food for cattle, fuel for heating • 19th century – source of Iodine • 20th and 21st centuries – Phycocolloids
Aquaculture – global seaweed production
Seaweed Biology – implications for aquaculture
Life cycle of Ulva sp.
Reproduction in Chlorophyta
BUT ALSO VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION
Seaweed Biology – implications for aquaculture
Reproduction in Phaeophycea
Haplodiplontic and isomorphyc cycle
Diplontic cycle
Haplodiplontic and heteromorphic cycle
Seaweed Biology – implications for aquaculture
Reproduction in Rhodophyta
Florideophycidae
Bangeophycidae
Also vegetative propagation
Assexual reproduction in some species and/or in one stage of the life cycle
Seaweed Biology – implications for aquaculture
Main seaweed genera in aquaculture
Vegetative
propagation
Nursery stage
needed
Saccharina (=Laminaria) NO YES
Undaria NO YES
Piropya (=Porphyra) NO YES
Eucheuma/Kappaphycus YES NO
Gracilaria YES NO
Seaweed Aquaculture Systems
Gracilaria & Kappaphyccus
Main destiny: phycocolloids
“low-tech”Cultivation, at Sea
Seaweed Aquaculture Systems
planting
drying
Photos: Dr A Hurtado SEAFDEC
Seedling selection and “tie-tie”
Cycle of
work harvest
“low-tech”Cultivation, at Sea
Seaweed Aquaculture Systems
“Complex”cultivation, at Sea – Pyropia (Nori)
Seaweed Aquaculture Systems
“Complex”cultivation, at Sea – Kelp Aspect vertical rope cultivation Aspect of long-line/ horizontal cultivation
Courtesy C. Peteiro
Seaweed Aquaculture Systems
“Complex”cultivation, In Land
Seaweed Aquaculture Systems - Comparison
Traceability Stable supply
High-quality
Safety
Main advantages of cultivation in land
Land-based IMTA system – 600m2, modular
• High yields – 24 tons (fw)/year = 400tons/ha/year
• High quality, safe and traceable seaweed biomass
• Tailor made biomass
• Domestication of “new” species
Biomass production
Processing Packaging
HOW WE DO IT – IMTA @ ALGAplus
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION | CUSTOMISED BIOMASS
Vegetative propagation
Biomass production
MANIPULATE: • Stocking density • Water renewal • Harvest time • Aeration
Porphyra spp. (Atlantic nori)
Complete life cycle
CUSTOMISED YIELD & CHEMICAL COMPOSITION.....
Morphology 15% protein
30 % protein
INNOVATION – funded projects
Algae pigments as natural textile dyes
For red pigment/dye phycoerythrin Gracilaria vermiculophylla Grateloupia turuturu Porphyra spp. For green pigment Ulva lactuca Codium tomentosum For orange/yellow pigments/dyes carotenoids
Fucus vesiculosus
BEA - SP
ALGAplus Lda ROLE: Increase content of selected pigments through customised cultivation
Seaweed Aquaculture Systems - Comparison
Carried out in open water OR in land/ on shore (in tanks)
- More extensive - Typically less costs - Less control - Not adequate for all seaweed sizes and morphologies
- Smaller scales - More intensive - Typically highers costs - Higher control - Adequate for smaller seaweed sizes
Seaweed Aquaculture Systems - Comparison
Carried out in open water OR in land/ on shore (in tanks)
+ More extensive = higher
production capacity and at lower prices compared to in land systems
- Limited used of species with
current technologies (typically for large species such as kelp, also used for some species of red Seaweed)
- Typically highers costs/kg
+ Higher control = higher
yields of pigment
+ Adequate to explore many
more species from the three groups
www.algaplus.pt www.facebook.com/ALGAplus.pt www.tokdemar.wordpress.com
THANK YOU
Contacts: Helena Abreu – [email protected] Rui Pereira – [email protected]
Algae pigments as natural textile dyes