Food commodities from microalgae.
The prospect of sustainable production of food ingredients from photoautotrophic microalgae was reviewed. Clearly, there is scope for microalgal oils to replace functions of major vegetable oils, and in addition to deliver health benefits to food products. Furthermore, with a limited production surface, a substantial portion of the European Union market could be supplied with edible oils and proteins from microalgae. Yet, before microalgal ingredients can become genuinely sustainable and cost effective alternatives for current food commodities, major breakthroughs in production technology and in biorefinery approaches are required. Moreover, before market introduction, evidence on safety of novel microalgal ingredients, is needed. In general, we conclude that microalgae have a great potential as a sustainable feedstock for food commodities.
Biosciences, Unilever Research and Development Vlaardingen, P.O. Box 114, 3130 AC Vlaardingen, The Netherlands. Rene.Draaisma@unilever.com
René B
RB
Draaisma
René H
RH
Wijffels
P M Ellen
PM
Slegers
Laura B
LB
Brentner
Adip
A
Roy
Maria J
MJ
Barbosa
D020418:Algal Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D005062:European Union; D005504:Food Analysis; D059022:Food Safety; D005524:Food Technology; D006801:Humans; D058086:Microalgae / Q000378:metabolism*; D009821:Oils / Q000737:chemistry / Q000191:economics / Q000378:metabolism*
D020418:Algal Proteins; D009821:Oils