Microalgae rich in bio-oils discovered

Collected from coastal waters in the Algarve, scientists have discovered that this microorganism has a high concentration of bio-oils and the robustness necessary to develop in wastewater. These characteristics allow for a multitude of applications and are appealing to the bioenergy, food, and urban effluent treatment industries.

In this regard, researchers at UAlg are collaborating with industrial partners to increase microalgae production and launch it on the market, as well as to take advantage of its cultivation for CO2 capture.

According to the Ualg statement, SECIL's Microalgae Production Unit – Algafarm is already a partner of CCMAR in the development of technologies to improve performance in terms of CO2 emissions resulting from industrial activity.

The discovery of the potential of this microalgae strain resulted in two articles, published in Scientific Reports (part of the Nature Publishing Group) and Bioresource Technology.

The Marine Science Center (CCMAR) is a scientific research unit at the University of Algarve funded by FCT. It develops projects in the areas of oceanography, marine biology, fisheries, aquaculture, ecology, and biotechnology.