SBIR-STTR Award

There is compelling value to feeding live algae in fish hatcheries as the current survival rate of larvae fed frozen paste is relatively low resulting in higher costs. However the complexity and costs of existing photo-bioreactors and the logistical costs of shipping live material over distances are barriers to the widespread deployment of live algae as feed. Culture BioSystems has successfully grown and sold live concentrated Nannochloropsis to Florida hatcheries over the past year using an innovative low cost photobioreactor. Functions which can be automated have been identified which would significantly lower production cost. In Phase I technical proof of concept at small scale for an automated modular photobioreactor which can be located at a hatchery will be validated. Objectives are: 1) design and validate remote monitoring system sensors and probes for algal biomass density analysis 2) compare the performance of a reactor using the automated biomass sensor with one that is manually monitored. Phase II will automate feeding and harvesting and then position the automated system on a hatchery to demonstrate real world deployment lower production cost and improved control for the aquaculture industry. The development of an automated and modular photo-bioreactor which can produce low cost algae will provide benefit to hatchery farmers who will have access to feed of higher nutritional value at a lower cost than they pay today. In addition the mature technology will also have potential to produce algae as a feed component for adult fish.