Fermentation Technology

Microalgae for industrial applications: From laboratory to industry

World Congress on Beneficial Microbes: Food, Pharma, Aqua & Beverages Industry

August 25-27, 2015 Valencia, Spain

Imane Wahby

Moroccan Foundation for Advanced Science, Morocco

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Ferment Technol

Abstract:

Microalgae represent an emerging biological resource of great importance for its potential applications in different fields, in particular as a new source of valuable nutrients and biologically active molecules. MAScIR works since 2010 on a global project for microalgae valorization and developed a microalgae collection fully characterized (lipids, FAMEs profile, proteins, biological activities, etc.). Four projects are ongoing to develop products for agriculture and ingredients for neutraceutic and cosmetic use. Indeed microalgae with high content of amino acids, nitrogen, phosphorus and phytohormones were used to formulate a liquid product used as biofertiliser/growth booster developed with an industrial partner operating in biological agriculture. Other microalgae, mainly belonging to Arthrospira and Isochrysis genius, showed highest polysaccharides content and are used to formulate anti-stress products for agriculture. Developed formula allowed plants growth in highly saline soil and increased plant immunity against some bacterial and fungal disease (Botrytis and Clavibacter). For neutraceutical application, some microalgae showed high content of PUFA, iron and proteins (70% DW) and are used to develop a new formula containing high PUFA content coupled with two active extracts, actually in pre-commercial phase. Development of pharmaceutical ingredients from microalgae for cosmetic application is also targeted, a newly developed formula showed an anti-acne activity combining: bacteriostatic effect against the two bacteria responsible of the acne: Propioni bacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis, anti-inflammatory and antioxydant effect and skin cell regenerative effect for an integral treatment of the acne. The bridge between R&D and industrial scale will be discussed for each project.

Biography :

Imane Wahby has completed his PhD from Granada University and Postdoctoral studies from CSIC. She is the director of Green Biotechnology Center in MAScIR (Morocco) working on the valorization of natural resources. She has 4 papers published and 8 patents related to the industrial application of microalgae. She led more than 10 projects for industrial application of microorganisms mainly in the field of agriculture, alimentation and cosmetic.

Email: i.wahby@mascir.com