An evolving model for algae. Joe Miller

Transcription

1 An evolving model for algae Joe Miller

2 How are algae grown? Open Ponds Contamination - rotifers wild strains heavy metals Low yield (~1/2) Evaporation PBRs Costly (CapX, energy) Higher yields GMP = LESS contamination Large footprint Shear rates can cause issue Etch over time Heterotrophic Only work on some strains High Yield High initial costs GMP = NO contamination Predictable Bags/Bladders: High Yield Low costs GMP = LESS contamination High labour Bladders w/ collection issues

3 Comparing general biomass Ash, Insolubles, Minerals: 15% Moisture: 10% Carbohydrates: 16% Sterols: 2.5% Phospholipids (lecithin): 0.5% Oil: 17% Protein: 39% It is estimated that 2,000-2,600 litres of water is needed to produce 1 kg of soy beans Moisture: 4% Carbohydrates: 22% (6-40%) Sterols: 4% Phospholipids: 7% Ash, Insolubles, Minerals: 6% Protein: 25% Oil: 32% (8-55%) (25-75%) In some strains, carotenoids can comprise 3-5% of mass Using fermenters, an average water usage is 10 litres to produce 1 kg of algae Soy compositional data via USDA ARS Soy water data: M. M. Mekonnen and A. Y. Hoekstra, Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. 15, , 2011,

4 And amino acids 40.0% 35.0% 30.0% Expressed as a percent of all amino acids 25.0% 20.0% 15.0% Algae #1 Algae #2 soybean seed whole egg 10.0% 5.0% 0.0% Egg values from American Egg Board, soy values from USDA, algal values from own data

5 Algae has potential for zero-waste products Glycerides: Clarified glycerides are produced in bulk and blended or put into pills Proteins: Bulk Food, Beverage, and Nutraceutical Sterols: Bulk Food, Beverage, and Nutraceutical Peptides and Amino Acids: Bulk Food, Beverage, and Nutraceutical Liposomes: Utilizing Omega-3 phospholipids Omega-3 Phospholipids: Bulk Food, Beverage, and Nutraceutical From remaining fractions or combined to create: Krill oil analogues Analogues to dairy & tofu Various pharma applications Phospholipid image: Liposome image: Peptide/Amino Acid image: Wikipedia

6 The typical algal outputs are FAMILIES of PRODUCTS Whole Algae Algal Extracts MARKETS Aquaculture Animal Husbandry Non-Human Use Food / Beverage glycerides Infant Formulas Nutraceuticals Human Use

7 However, the true value potential is FAMILIES of PRODUCTS MARKETS Whole Algae Algal Extracts Aquaculture Animal Husbandry Companion Animals Non-Human Use sterols Food / Beverage glycerides concentrates phospholipids HP fractions proteins Infant Formulas Nutraceuticals Medical Foods Drugs Human Use

8 C12:0 C14:0 C15:0 C16:0 C17:0 C18:0 C18:1n9c C18:2n6c C18:3n3a C20:0 C20:2n6 C20:4n6 C21:0 C22:1n9 C22:5 C23:0 C24:1n9 C12:0 C14:0 C15:0 C16:0 C17:0 C18:0 C18:1n9c C18:2n6c C18:3n3a C20:0 C20:2n6 C20:4n6 C21:0 C22:1n9 C22:5 C23:0 C24:1n9 C12:0 C14:0 C15:0 C16:0 C17:0 C18:0 C18:1n9c C18:2n6c C18:3n3a C20:0 C20:2n6 C20:4n6 C21:0 C22:1n9 C22:5 C23:0 C24:1n9 Concentrating fish vs. algal oils EPA algal oil anchovy oil The ability to separate lipid esters is typically based on molecular weight. This means similar weighted carbon chains are also concentrated, which can negatively impact the final concentration limits without additional process steps (crystallization or chromatography). The Omega-3 fatty acids in algae are often so isolated that they can sometimes be separated without the need to esterify DHA algal oil

9 Cost / kg The dynamics of cost are shifting* Assumptions: Crude fish oil prices rise by 20% per year Algal oil prices rise by 5% per year No annual cost increases to esterification or processing Simple processes to concentrate (distillation w/ no urea crystallization or chromatography) Fish oil profiles remain constant over time No credits for biodiesel byproducts NOTE: every 1% drop in fish EPA or DHA start value accelerates the timeline by ~1 year EPA-anchovy DHA-tuna EPA-algae DHA-algae * Concentrate costs based on EPA values of 650 mg/g and DHA values of 600 mg/g

10 Replacing krill is easier than you d think Krill Oil One can concentrate the phospholipids in krill, but the basic range of 10 EPA / 6 DHA (+/- 2%) cannot be changed w/o adulteration. Blends of algal oils afford an ability to increase either EPA, DHA, or both. Products could be Halal, Kosher, Vegetarian, and could be produced to strict pharma standards w/ complete traceability. EPA DHA Astaxanthin FKO (Faux Krill Oil) Krill image : SUNY Stonybrook's Marine Science Research Center

11 Consider consumers products & practices must not conflict with consumers ideals

12 Let s look at best-practices for water use Grey water (rich in metabolites) can be used to grow saline-tolerant agricultural products Continuous production in bags omits evaporation. Algae self-flocculate and are evacuated with some water, though the majority is used again in continuous production

13 And combined operations for synergies

14 Some parting thoughts Ongoing efforts to force labeling of GMO products will most-likely impact sales of algal products for food and, possibly, supplements. Most cosmetics and pharma would be immune. CA Prop 65 and other evolving legislation will dramatically change process methodologies and place significant pressures on use of solvent-free processes to ensure low/no solvent residues. Fukashima and other disasters, whether man-made or natural, will continue to place pressures on oceanic species, thus shifting the dynamics in favor of algal-products. The concepts presented meet most consumer ideals for these markets AND are costeffective and environmentally responsible. One needs good products, but beyond that, the manufacturer most-aligned with consumer sentiment will also have the advantage.