Program: solation and cultivation of local phytoplankton species for exploration of possibilities of production of antimicrobial substances, fatty acids, pigments and antioxidants, (MIS 5048496)
Acronym: ALGAVISION
Scientific coordinator: George Hotos, Professor Dept. Animal Production, Fisheries & Aquaculture
Summary
Microalgae are single-celled organisms that have been the focus of research in recent decades with the aim of using them to produce high nutritional fats, pigments and even biofuels. Compared to plant organisms they produce protein-rich biomass. However, the production cost of microalgae is quite high with the existing technology and therefore the only viable solution is the use of microalgae for the production of substances with significant value and secondarily in the production of biomass for biofuels.
In the Greek marine aquaculture, microalgae are produced in the fish breeding stations for their use in the technique of green water but also for the production of rotifers. This production of microalgae is in most cases based on microalgae strains from international collections and not on local microalgae species.
The partner of the proposal (Department of Animal Production, Fisheries & Aquaculture, Univ. of Patras, Greece) has devoted a great deal of effort over a number of years to isolate and cultivate local species from a very special environment such as is the lagoon of Messolonghi. In this environment the local species have adapted and can and do survive in various conditions such as changing environmental conditions, high salinity in summer and low temperature in winter, as well as increased light intensity in summer due to the shallow depth of the lagoonal water mass. We believe that these local species, due to their ability to survive in such adverse conditions, produce substances such as antioxidants or special pigments that protect cells from radiation, or antimicrobials, as they act in a eutrophic environment rich in heterotrophic microorganisms.
In the context of the announcement “Aquaculture” of the General Secretariat for Research and Technology (G.G.E.T.) of the Greek government, the aim of the project is:
- (a) Isolate and identify using elements of cell morphology as well as molecular methods (18S rDNA sequencing) local species of microalgae that respond effectively to mass culture
- (b) identify bioactive substances in local microalgae strains that we have isolated and isolate other microalgae strains
- (c) optimize the production of these substances by changing the growing conditions
- (d) test the potential for large-scale culture in some of these microalgae using photobioreactors. These experiments are important because they will also show the possibility of industrial application of any innovative technology developed
The program will last 3 years (Nov. 2019-Oct. 2022).
Research Group
- George Hotos, Professor Dept. Animal Production, Fisheries & Aquaculture
- Yannis Cladas , Professor Dept. Animal Production, Fisheries & Aquaculture
- Despoina Avramidou, Technical staff Dept. Animal Production, Fisheries & Aquaculture
- Athina Samara, Technical staff Dept. Animal Production, Fisheries & Aquaculture
