Bilbao, 29/09/2016 Algae production systems: characteristics and benefits Rui Pereira
OVERVIEW Some basic notions about seaweed Seaweed Aquaculture in Global Aquaculture Seaweed Biology and seaweed farming ALGAplus systems and IMTA benefits Seaweed production systems - comparison Final considerations
BASIC NOTIONS Over 10,000 species described Very diverse morphology Photosynthetic capcity Food and shelter for marine animals
BASIC NOTIONS Cellulose, Pectin, Ulvan Starch Carotenoids, Xanthophyll Alginates, Fucoidan Laminarine Mannitol Carotenoids, Fucoxanthin Phylum: Rhodophyta 6000 spp Agar, Carrageenan, Calcium carbonate (some) Floridean Starch Phycoerythrin, Phycocyanin
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE Chile: 12 100 BC food and medicine Japan: Since first historical records used as food 17 th Century used as currency for tax payment 18 th century First cultivation of Porphyra sp. (=nori). Europe: Fertilizers, food for cattle, fuel for heating 19 th century source of Iodine 20 th and 21 st centuries Phycocolloids
Aquaculture global seaweed production
Seaweed Biology implications for aquaculture Reproduction in Chlorophyta Life cycle of Ulva sp. BUT ALSO VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION
Seaweed Biology implications for aquaculture Reproduction in Phaeophycea Diplontic cycle Haplodiplontic and heteromorphic cycle Haplodiplontic and isomorphyc cycle
Seaweed Biology implications for aquaculture Reproduction in Rhodophyta Bangeophycidae Assexual reproduction in some species and/or in one stage of the life cycle Florideophycidae Also vegetative propagation
Seaweed Biology implications for aquaculture Main seaweed genera in aquaculture Vegetative propagation Nursery stage needed Saccharina (=Laminaria) NO YES Undaria NO YES Piropya (=Porphyra) NO YES Eucheuma/Kappaphycus YES NO Gracilaria YES NO
Seaweed Aquaculture Systems low-tech Cultivation, at Sea Gracilaria & Kappaphyccus Main destiny: phycocolloids
Seaweed Aquaculture Systems low-tech Cultivation, at Sea Seedling selection and tie-tie planting drying Cycle of work harvest Photos: Dr A Hurtado SEAFDEC
Seaweed Aquaculture Systems Complex cultivation, at Sea Pyropia (Nori)
Seaweed Aquaculture Systems Complex cultivation, at Sea Kelp Aspect of long-line/ horizontal cultivation Aspect vertical rope cultivation Courtesy C. Peteiro
Seaweed Aquaculture Systems Complex cultivation, In Land
Seaweed Aquaculture Systems - Comparison Main advantages of cultivation in land Traceability Stable supply Highquality Safety
HOW WE DO IT IMTA @ ALGAplus Land-based IMTA system 600m 2, modular High yields 24 tons (fw)/year = 400tons/ha/year High quality, safe and traceable seaweed biomass Tailor made biomass Domestication of new species Biomass production Processing Packaging
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION CUSTOMISED BIOMASS Vegetative propagation Biomass production Complete life cycle MANIPULATE: Stocking density Water renewal Harvest time Aeration 15% protein Porphyra spp. (Atlantic nori) CUSTOMISED YIELD & CHEMICAL COMPOSITION... Morphology 30 % protein
INNOVATION funded projects Algae pigments as natural textile dyes ALGAplus Lda ROLE: Increase content of selected pigments through customised cultivation For red pigment/dye phycoerythrin Gracilaria vermiculophylla Grateloupia turuturu Porphyra spp. For green pigment Ulva lactuca Codium tomentosum For orange/yellow pigments/dyes carotenoids Fucus vesiculosus BEA - SP
Seaweed Aquaculture Systems - Comparison Carried out in open water OR in land/ on shore (in tanks) - More extensive - Typically less costs - Less control - Not adequate for all seaweed sizes and morphologies - Smaller scales - More intensive - Typically highers costs - Higher control - Adequate for smaller seaweed sizes
Seaweed Aquaculture Systems - Comparison Carried out in open water OR in land/ on shore (in tanks) + More extensive = higher production capacity and at lower prices compared to in land systems - Limited used of species with current technologies (typically for large species such as kelp, also used for some species of red Seaweed) - Typically highers costs/kg + Higher control = higher yields of pigment + Adequate to explore many more species from the three groups
Algae pigments as natural textile dyes THANK YOU Contacts: Helena Abreu htabreu@algaplus.pt Rui Pereira rgpereira@algaplus.pt www.algaplus.pt www.facebook.com/algaplus.pt www.tokdemar.wordpress.com