A $2 million grant from the Department of Energy is set to explore the feasibility of growing microalgae using carbon dioxide captured from power plant emissions for aquaculture feed. The partnership between the University College Santa Cruz’s ecological aquaculture research team and Global Algae Innovations aims to investigate whether Spirulina microalgae can contribute to addressing the climate crisis. Spirulina is known for being a complete protein source, providing 4g of protein, along with significant amounts of vitamin B, copper, and iron, with just 1 tablespoon (7g).
Global Algae Innovations will utilize captured carbon dioxide from flue gas, the exhaust from combustion power plants, to cultivate and process Spirulina. The focus will be on maximizing energy and cost efficiency in the growth process.
Pallab Sarker, assistant professor of environmental studies at UC Santa Cruz, will conduct trials to understand the biochemical characteristics of the gas-grown Spirulina, comparing nutrients, anti-nutrients, minerals, and trace and heavy metals to conventionally grown Spirulina. The next step involves incorporating the product into an experimental fish feed formula to assess its digestibility by rainbow trout. This trial will examine taste preferences and nutrient absorption compared to conventionally grown algae.
Dave Hazlebeck, CEO of Global Algae Innovations, highlighted the company’s cost-effective algae-growing technology and expressed the need for research to optimize the biomass for fish feed. If successful for rainbow trout, Spirulina could emerge as a sustainable, high-performing alternative protein source, potentially replacing traditional fish feed ingredients derived from wild-caught fish products or terrestrial crops.
