BASF - We create chemistry
blue-green algae of genus Synechocystis
Microorganisms such as algae are among the world’s smallest chemical factories. They produce metabolites, which are valuable raw materials for the chemical industry. BASF already uses the algae Dunaliella salina in Australia to produce β-carotene for food additives. In the field of white biotechnology, researchers are cultivating other kinds of algae that can be used in the future to produce raw materials for cosmetic products or dietary supplements, for example. One current research focus is blue-green algae of the genus Synechocystis (shown here). These blue-green algae are very frugal: they grow at room temperature and only need a water-based culture medium with minerals and trace elements as well as carbon dioxide and light for photosynthesis. Researchers obtain the metabolites by removing the algae from the culture medium and disruption of the cell walls. Given that there are more than 30,000 known types of microalgae, it is important to identify the right candidates and optimize their growing conditions. When blue-green algae work for white biotechnology, it’s because at BASF, we create chemistry.
blue-green algae of genus Synechocystis
Microorganisms such as algae are among the world’s smallest chemical factories. They produce metabolites, which are valuable raw materials for the chemical industry. BASF already uses the algae Dunaliella salina in Australia to produce β-carotene for food additives. In the field of white biotechnology, researchers are cultivating other kinds of algae that can be used in the future to produce raw materials for cosmetic products or dietary supplements, for example. One current research focus is blue-green algae of the genus Synechocystis (shown here). These blue-green algae are very frugal: they grow at room temperature and only need a water-based culture medium with minerals and trace elements as well as carbon dioxide and light for photosynthesis. Researchers obtain the metabolites by removing the algae from the culture medium and disruption of the cell walls. Given that there are more than 30,000 known types of microalgae, it is important to identify the right candidates and optimize their growing conditions. When blue-green algae work for white biotechnology, it’s because at BASF, we create chemistry.