November 2020 - October 2023

In this project, different algae strains are tested to determine the optimal cultivation conditions for their development in large-scale land-based recirculated aquaculture systems (RAS).

Particular attention is paid to the development of the algae and their suitability for processing into packaging material. The strains are initially tested for robustness and rapid growth.

Selected strains will then be used in large-scale production. The effects of different environmental conditions will also be investigated to optimize the functionality of the algae as packaging material (e.g. activity of antioxidants). The algae strains will then be selectively cultivated under different environmental conditions to determine whether the strains are enhanced by possible adaptations. Improvement of the land-based cultivation facilities and RAS experiments will be carried out in Rockstedt.

November 2020 - April 2024

In diesem Projekt werden verschiedene Algenstämme getestet, um die optimalen Kultivierungsbedingungen für ihre Entwicklung in groß angelegten landbasierten, rezirkulierten Aquakultur Systemen (RAS) zu bestimmen.

Besonderes Augenmerk wird auf die Entwicklung der Algen und ihre Eignung zur Verarbeitung in Verpackungsmaterial gelegt. Die Stämme werden zunächst auf Robustheit und schnelles Wachstum getestet.

Ausgewählte Stämme werden anschließend in der groß angelegten Produktion weiterverwendet. Die Effekte verschiedener Umweltbedingungen werden zusätzlich untersucht, um die Funktionalität der Algen als Verpackungsmaterial zu optimieren (z.B. Aktivität von Antioxidantien). Die Algenstämme werden abschließend unter verschiedenen Umweltbedingungen selektiv gezüchtet, um festzustellen, ob die Stämme durch mögliche Anpassungen aufgewertet werden. Die Verbesserung der landbasierten Kultivierungsanlagen und RAS Experimente werden in Rockstedt durchgeführt. 

December 2019 - April 2023

In the PhycoFarming research project, the valuable substance phycocyanin (CPC) was extracted from fresh spirulina algae.

This was preceded by attempts to increase the CPC concentration in the algae themselves by changing the cultivation conditions. A pilot plant for extraction was then developed in Rockstedt, which is designed to be operated by farmers in order to enable new value chains for algae production in Lower Saxony.

The CPC extract was obtained with good efficiencies and above-average concentrations. It will then be used and sold as a nutraceutical.

February 2019 - February 2021

The aim of the project was to establish the production of the microalgae Spirulina in Lower Saxony's agriculture. Spirulina algae is available commercially almost exclusively from Asian production; corresponding products from European or even German production were practically unavailable.

For this purpose, cultivation was tested in greenhouses. The cultivation technology for spirulina was optimized and an efficient harvesting system was developed.