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Micro algae open a world of possibilities when it comes to obtain renewable energySustainable and healthy raw materials or active ingredients for a myriad of uses, such as food, cosmetics or pharmaceuticals.
Produce biofuels
Micro algae They can produce biomass for the manufacture of different types of biofuel, such as biodiesel, ethanol, methane or hydrogen. Its production usually begins with the selection of the species of micro algae to be used, generally from those available in the local environment.
Subsequently, the design and implementation of the cultivation system is carried out, periodically carrying out the harvest and the extraction of the oil from it. From this, finally, the raw material used in the unit is obtained biofuel producer.
As producers of green fuel, it is critical that micro algae They are photosynthetic microorganisms with a unicellular structure, since thanks to it they grow rapidly. Basically, they reproduce through photosynthesis, converting sunlight into chemical energy naturally, that is, as part of their life cycle.
Polluted water cleaning
Among other advantages of culture from micro algae It is worth noting its great facility when it comes to cultivating them. In addition to being able to develop in tanks to be located in a thousand places, such as roofs, warehouses or spaces specially designed for this purpose, they feed on nutrients that are pollutants.
Among other sources from which to obtain them, in addition to the CO2 from the air, we find wastewater a very interesting resource. On the one hand, it allows the use of water not suitable for human consumption for its cultivation, while it can be cultivated in natural places that have been solved to improve the quality of degraded water.
Sustainable cosmetics
The cultivation of cyanobacteria improves the cosmetic formulas, providing greater tolerance against possible allergies, that is, minimizing adverse reactions and also achieving greater moisturizing power.
At an environmental level, it helps the formulation be biodegradableAlthough in the end everything will depend on the rest of the ingredients, of course. Theirs, however, is designing entirely biological formulations to maximize their potential benefits.
CO2 absorption
Another of the most outstanding utilities of micro algae takes advantage of their action as carbon dioxide sinks. The explanation is very simple, since they are organisms that capture solar energy and accumulate it in their fats through photosynthesis, thereby absorb CO2 and they emit oxygen.
By absorbing or trapping that CO2 we clean atmospheres indoors or outdoors and we get nutrients for the micro algae. It is a clean technology that does not generate toxic or dangerous waste, providing very high yields. From these micro algae, they can also be used in very different processes.
Climatize and insulate buildings
Obtaining green energy for the generation of Energy for heating and air conditioning is the accomplished goal of the installation that we find in an avant-garde four-story building that rises in the city of Hamburg, in Germany.
Baptized with the name of the Bio Intelligent Quotient house, it produces energy through its original facade, partially covered with thin glass panels that act as containers for growing crops. automated from micro algae.
The location on the façade is key, as this can give them the sun throughout the day (they are adjustable panels), necessary to carry out the photosynthesis and thus grow faster, while acting as an insulator from cold and heat, in addition to noise, with which greater energy efficiency is also achieved.
Endless possibilities
These five uses are by no means exhausting the possibilities of exploitation of the micro algae. Among other applications, we can use them as raw material for the manufacture of biofertilizers, food supplements, vitamins, pigments and a long list of compounds with great applications in very different industrial sectors.
What's more, its cultivation allows multiple exploitation, with which the advantages are even greater. On the one hand, microalgae can absorb CO2 from industry greenhouse gas emissions to later produce one or other products.
The possibilities continue to increase as new processes are discovered or developing existing ones. From producing fats, oil, natural dyes, fatty acids, oil, sugars, organic fertilizers or antioxidants, let's say, to the processing of biomass for energy.
If you want to read more articles similar to 5 surprising applications of growing micro algaeWe recommend that you enter our Nature Curiosities category.
