Value-Added Products from Microalgae - Biotechnological Applications of Microalgae - page 149

that keeps Martek highly competitive as an algal omega-3 ingredient manufacturer.
Crypthecodinium cohnii was identified and commercially exploited by Martek as
“a rich source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)” (Martek Corporation website, 2012),
producing algal oil containing 40% to 50% DHA but no EPA (Ratledge, 2004; Ward
and Singh, 2005; Spoloare et al., 2006).
Many argue that it is not imperative to consume both EPA and DHA as
the human body efficiently converts EPA to DHA (Halliday, 2006). As a result,
the potential new players on the algal market are focusing their efforts on
increased production of high-purity EPA. The annual global demand for EPA is
around 300 tonnes (Molina-Grima, 2003; Milledge, 2011). The current market
value of fish oil EPA ethyl ester (95% pure) in bulk quantities is about $650 kg −1
(Belarbi et al., 2000); thus, a new source such as microalgal EPA is expected to
be market competitive.
10.2.3.3 EPA Production Process
At present, new players Aurora Algae and AlgaeBio (both producing biomass in
autotrophic open ponds) have not yet progressed to commercialization with final
products on the shelf. Aurora Algae's crude algal oil prototype contains 65% EPA
and is intended for use in the pharmaceutical, animal feed, as well as heath food
and beverage sectors (Aurora Algae Online, 2011). These prototypes have been dis-
tributed to potential customers and, according to Van Der Meulen, Aurora Algae
has already “signed multiple letters of intent with key players across the industry”
(Watson, 2011b). Bob Thompson, chairman of AlgaeBio, believes that they have
a competitive economic advantage in terms of production costs. Between their
patent, proprietary information, and intellectual property, they can “produce a wide
array of high-value, algae-based products at a fraction of the cost” compared with
their competitors (Watson, 2011b). There is still a lack of information available on
the potential products in the pipeline.
The University of Almeria (Spain) has developed an outdoor tubular photobioreac-
tor process for producing “high-purity” 96% EPA from Phaeodactylum tricornutum .
The total cost of production of the esterified oil occurs at US$4,602 kg −1 , with an
estimated yield of 430 kg yr −1 (Molina-Grima, 2003). Some 60% of this cost is
attributable to the recovery process, and the remaining 40% accounts for biomass
production costs. The total cost still needs to be reduced by 80% to be economi-
cally feasible. The most common lipid extraction methods include oil press, solvent
extraction, super-critical fluid extraction, and ultrasound (Harun et al., 2010). Solvent
extraction is the most common method employed in the recovery of fatty acids from
microalgae (Belarbi et al., 2000).
Solazyme-Roquette has created “high-lipid algal flour” (Daniells, 2011), intended
for use as a main ingredient alternative to make healthier processed foods such as
chocolate milk (4.5% algal flour), frozen desserts, and even low-calorie salad dress-
ings. Household names such as Unilever, Nestle, and Abbott Laboratories are a few
companies jumping onto the “omega-3 bandwagon.” A fast-moving consumer goods
company, Unilever has invested in a multimillion-dollar deal with Solazyme Inc.
to potentially replace palm oil with algal oil as a sustainable alternative in products
such as food, soaps, and lotions (Sonne, 2010).