Food-Grade Microalgae Research & Cultivation Suite (CABR’s Equipment Spotlight)
→ Funded by Enterprise Ireland
→ Manufactured by Varicon Aqua (https://www.variconaqua.com)
→ Available at Centre for Applied Bioscience Research (CABR) for R&D developments in nutrition, health supplements, food, animal/aqua feed, and cosmetic industries
This state-of-the-art Microalgae Cultivation Suite facility is the first of its kind in this country, promoting and applying microalgal biotechnology across various industrial sectors, including the food industry, cosmetics and skincare, environmental technology, health and nutrition, and energy and biofuels. It facilitates the development of a range of microalgae-based products, such as cosmetics and supplements, while advancing environmental solutions, for example, industrial wastewater clean-up and value generation through feedstock production.
Additionally, it enhances sustainability by supporting the creation of eco-friendly biofuels and the production of future foods, including functional ingredients, alternative proteins, biocolourants, and health supplements. The facility also improves production efficiency through scalable cultivation and advanced harvesting techniques. It is particularly beneficial for individuals in roles such as manufacturers, engineers, and product development researchers.
Some of the ways CABR can use Microalgae Cultivation include:
→ Cosmetic ingredient development by producing natural ingredients for skincare and beauty products.
→ Developing sustainable energy solutions (biofuel production) from microalgae.
→ Creating new health products through microalgae cultivation (photoautotrophic and fermentation methods).
→ Various food industry applications, including the creation of natural additives and colourants for diverse food products.
→ Precise yet simple control over microalgae growth conditions, such as temperature, pH, LED light intensity, and CO₂ concentration levels for photosynthetic organisms.
→ Scalability from small-scale research (1 L) to large-scale production (3,300 L).
→ Enhanced biofunctional pigment production using specific LED lighting technology.
→ Efficient biomass harvesting with flocculation, continuous-flow centrifugation, and simple filtration methods.
→ Producing biomass suitable for isolating cosmetic ingredients, preparing aqua/animal feed, and developing food supplements.
🔗 Watch the equipment presentation here: (click here)
If you would like to learn more about this Microalgal Biotechnology Research and Cultivation Suite and get involved with your R&D developments, please contact Dr. Sushanta Kumar Saha, Senior Microalgal Biotechnologist, via email ✉️ Sushanta.Saha@tus.ie or Damian Gornik, CABR’s Communications Officer, via email ✉️ damian.gornik@mtu.ie.
