Marine Microalgae the Future for Us and the Planet

Marine Microalgae ‘the Future for Us and the Planet?’

Marine microalgae are one the of oldest organisms on the planet, having been around for 3.4bn years, they have remained largely unchanged, as they contain everything within themselves to sustain their life through photosynthesis.

These Microalgae are the basis of all plant and animal life on the planet and through photosynthesis are responsible for up to 60% of our oxygen supply.

Apart from being a powerhouse of nutrients, as used in our Supplements, they also have many other amazing potential benefits.

Research and development are currently being carried out into the following fields:

• Use as a highly nutritious ingredient in human foodstuffs and supplements.
• Tests have shown that when fed to livestock such as cattle they increase the milk yield while at the same time reducing Methane production by up to 30%
• Formulations can be sprayed on crops as a natural pesticide reducing the need for the repeated use of chemicals which are known to have dermatological, gastrointestinal, neurological, carcinogenic and respiratory effects on humans let alone the damage to the land.
• Research is also being done into using them as a natural Sunblock. Again, much damage is done to our coastlines after millions of us ‘cover up’ with chemical based sun-blocks which then wash off into the sea harming the coastal biosphere.
• Scientists are also working extensively on potential cures and treatments for cancer.

When considering such examples as above, it should be remembered that out of a potential of up to 800,000 strains or species of marine microalgae in the oceans, only some 50,000 have been identified and of these only 30,000 even investigated for potential applications.

One reason for this, is how recently the Marine Microalgae ‘farming’ industry has been developed. This allows for higher volume, sustainable growth of the algae at a commercial price. In the future, this industry has the potential to change not only our lives but also the effects of climate change on the Planet.