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Drying Microalgae Using an Industrial Solar Dryer: A Biomass Quality Assessment
Benjamin Schmid1,2, Sofia Navalho3, Peter S C Schulze3
1Necton S.A., Belamandil s/n., 8700-152 Olhao, Portugal.
Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 9, 2022
Summary
Industrial solar drying offers a sustainable and cost-effective method for preserving microalgal biomass. This technique maintains key nutritional and functional properties, making it suitable for food and feed applications.
Area of Science:
- * Marine biotechnology and sustainable resource utilization.
- * Algal cultivation and processing for industrial applications.
Background:
- * Microalgae are valuable sources of proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates for food and feed.
- * Conventional drying methods like freeze and spray drying are energy-intensive and costly.
- * Development of sustainable, cost-effective drying technologies is crucial for microalgal biomass utilization.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To evaluate an indirect and hybrid solar dryer as a sustainable alternative to freeze drying.
- * To assess the impact of solar drying on the quality of microalgal biomass (Tetraselmis chui and Nannochloropsis oceanica).
- * To compare biochemical profiles, functional properties, and microbial safety of solar-dried versus freeze-dried microalgae.
Main Methods:
- * Industrial-scale production of Tetraselmis chui and Nannochloropsis oceanica wet paste.
- * Drying of microalgal paste using an indirect/hybrid solar dryer and conventional freeze drying.
- * Comprehensive analysis of biomass quality: biochemical composition (proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, fatty acids, pigments, minerals), functional properties, and microbial safety.
Main Results:
- * No significant differences in total proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and fatty acid profiles between solar and freeze drying.
- * Pigment content was significantly higher (up to 44.5%) in freeze-dried samples.
- * Minor differences (<10%) observed in mineral profiles.
- * Solar-dried microalgal biomass demonstrated adequate microbial safety and functional properties for food and feed.
Conclusions:
- * Industrial solar drying is a viable and sustainable technology for high-quality microalgal biomass preservation.
- * Solar drying presents a promising, potentially lower-cost alternative to conventional methods for food and feed markets.
- * The technology supports the efficient utilization of microalgae as a valuable resource.
