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Microalgae have great potential as a bioresource in South Africa and around the world owing to their ability to absorb carbon dioxide, their fast growth rate, adaptability to harsh conditions and cultivation on non-arable land. Microalgae can sustainably produce several important biochemical constituents – lipids, proteins, carbohydrates and various other high-value compounds such as pigments and polysaccharides – at a large scale. These compounds have the potential to be used for biofuels, human diet and applications in the pharmaceuticals, neutraceuticals and cosmetics industries. Among functional ingredients identified from microalgae, natural pigments, i.e. chlorophylls, carotenoids and phycobiliproteins, have received attention for being antioxidants, anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective
Aim: Evaluation of indigenous microalgae for the production of pigments and bioactive compounds. Objectives: 1. Isolation of microalgae from fresh water, wastewater and marine environments
Large-scale harvesting and extraction are a bottleneck to the technology, therefore, developing a successful, costeffective culturing, harvesting and oil extracting method is one step further to pre-commercialisation. The largescale cultivation of algae has extensive socio-economic benefits and affords environmental protection while treating and upcycling waste streams. Growth in the biofuels industries further affords the potential for job creation.
Algae have unique properties to help them survive, even in harsh conditions. During stress conditions, algae are known to produce certain metabolites and compounds to help them survive. These unique metabolites often have special properties and, in addition, can be considered as bioactive compounds. Since only 30% of all algal species have been identified and collected, there is a huge resource available to be exploited in not only the food/feed but cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry as well.
Prof Faizal Bux Dr Trisha Mogany, Dr Faiz Ansari, Dr Sachitra Ratha, Dr Nirmal Renuka, Luveshan Ramanna, Keith Chetty and Ismail Rawat Tel: 031 373 2346 | Email: iwwt@dut.ac.za
2020-2022
R2 276 910.72
