SBIR-STTR Award

An Innovative Photobioreactor for Commercial Production of Astaxanthin from Genetically Improved Haematococcus Pluvialis Strains
Award last edited on: 9/5/2007

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
NSF
Total Award Amount
$547,416
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
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Principal Investigator
Fan Lu

Company Information

Algaen Corporation

925 West Northwest Boulevard
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
   (336) 577-4354
   algaencorp@gmail.com
   www.algaen.com
Location: Single
Congr. District: 05
County: Forsyth

Phase I

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: ----    Completed: ----
Phase I year
2006
Phase I Amount
$98,866
This Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase I project aims to develop an innovative large-scale photobioreactor for production of natural astaxanthin from Haematococcus strains. The phase I research plan is to construct and evaluate an innovative modular flat-plate photobioreactor for mass culture of the organism. The improved production system, along with a genetically improved Haematococcus strains will increase the productivity of astaxanthin by an estimated 50%. The development of this photobioreactor is the only means by which the commercial potential of the genetically improved Haematococcus strains can be commercially realized. The success of the project will lead to further development of pilot-scale plants as well as additional uses for the a reactor

Phase II

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: ----    Completed: ----
Phase II year
2007
Phase II Amount
$448,550
This Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase II reserach develops an innovative biotechnology for commercial production of natural astaxanthin using genetically improved microalgal strain(s) grown in a proprietary large-scale photobioreactor, and to demonstrate the effectiveness of the new strains in improving bioavailability of astaxanthin. The proposed R&D efforts aim to overcome the major weakness inherent in the present production of astaxanthin-enriched Haematococcus: poor bioavailability of astaxanthin for humans and animals. The company will use several genetically modified Haematococcus strains with remarkably improved bioavailability of astaxanthin. The major objectives of the Phase II research are to design, construct, and evaluate an innovative large-scale photobioreactor system for sustainable mass culture of these new strains. The improved production system will increase astaxanthin productivity by 1.5- to 2-fold with at least 30% cost reduction. The broader impacts of this technology will be to overcome two major hurdles for the Haematococcus-based astaxanthin industry. The application of this biotechnology will lead to major increases in astaxanthin sales by 2015. It will also result in job expansion in the Haematococcus-astaxanthin production and related industries (e.g., cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical). Reduction in the production costs will lead to decreasing prices, making astaxanthin more affordable to allow more people to take advantage of astaxanthin as a strong antioxidant for improving health and well-being