MIATEST – Functional ingredients from algae for health-promoting food and as plant strengthening agent in viticulture

In the field of microalgae cultivation, the cultivation conditions significantly influence the composition of the biomass. For example, the chrysolaminarin content can be increased from < 5%_w/w  to > 30%_w/w by adjusting the cultivation conditions. Together with the State Research Institute for Viticulture and Fruit Growing, the application of chrysolaminarin as a plant strengthening agent in viticulture is being tested. The aim here is to find an alternative to existing copper‑based fungicides against fungal diseases. The University of Hohenheim is carrying out experiments on the application of the microalgae biomass in the field of human nutrition. Apart from chrysolaminarin, these experiments are mainly focused on the pigment fucoxanthin and eicosapentaenoic acid, an omega‑3 fatty acid.

Fucoxanthin, in particular, has led to considerable interest in the industry, as it shows antioxidant, anti‑inflammatory, anti‑cancer and weight‑reducing properties. At Fraunhofer IGB, a process for obtaining highly pure fucoxanthin (> 90 percent) has already been developed in another project.