SBIR-STTR Award

The proposed Phase I project includes (i) utilizing Global Algae Innovations low-cost production technology to generate a new algal feed ingredient that is a combination of the new algae strain and a high omega-3 diatom algae; and (ii) evaluating the new algal feed ingredient through compositional analysis, a rainbow trout fry trial, and a digestibility trial at the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, Bozeman, Montana. These results will be used to estimate the market value of the new algal feed ingredient to determine if additional testing and scale-up of the process is warranted. Phase II would include longer-term production tests to generate key metrics needed to support scale-up and more extensive feed trails to validate the efficacy of the new algal feed ingredient.

This project will support the expansion of the domestic aquaculture industry through development of algae aqua feed ingredients. Successful completion will increase the production of algae a type of aquaculture and will increase the availability of affordable sustainable feed for expansion of our domestic fish and shellfish aquaculture industries. Feed is the largest and most important component to ensuring safe abundant and affordable animal proteins. Feed accounts for 40-60% of the production costs in aquaculture so good quality feeds at reasonable prices is essential for success of the aquaculture industry. Global capture fisheries have been level for several decades so algae sources of protein and omega-3 oil would enable for faster development of aquaculture. Global Algae Innovations has developed economical scalable open pond algae production technology for aquaculture feed. In Phase 1 Global Algae demonstrated production of an algae feed ingredient with a higher the protein content and greater digestibility than fishmeal. Additionally Global Algae produced high omega-3 oil diatom algae with oil digestibility comparable to fishmeal. The proposed Phase 2 research and development includes (i) productivity improvements for cultivation of algae aqua feed strains (ii) optimizing the composition of the feed ingredients; (iii) extensive feeding trials with yellowtail at Hubbs SeaWorld Research Institute and(iv) starting regulatory approvals for the new feed ingredients. The new feed ingredients will compete with the high-quality protein ingredients in aquaculture feed which is currently about $25 billion per year and is expected increase to approximately $60 billion per year in 2023