Scientists develop a more cost-efficient method to cultivate algae

摘要

Microalgae hold tremendous potential for industrial biotechnology. They are an important resource in the production of food and medications, and in many other applications. In comparison to bacteria and fungi, however, they still play only a minor role. The economic use of these organisms has been difficult in the past primarily because existing production procedures are too costly. The algae specialist Professor Michael Melkonian and his team from the University of Cologne have now developed a new method that could make the production of algae easier -and hence reduce the costs of the products based on this material. Their findings are published in the journal Trends in Biotechnology.