MICROALGAE: Remarkable Biodiversity and Chemical Diversity

Microalgae represent a promising source of molecules of interest:

• applications across a wide range of industries (healthcare, pharmaceuticals, environmental, cosmetics, food and agriculture, and chemicals). 
• Algal biodiversity is estimated to range from 200,000 to several million species, but fewer than 25,000 species have been described, and only about 20 are currently commercially available
• the source of a wide variety of chemical compounds of diverse nature (polysaccharides, polyunsaturated fatty acids, aromatic compounds, terpenes, alkaloids, pigments, proteins, lipids) with recognized biological activities (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, antitumor, antimicrobial, etc.)

THE PHYTOBANK: An Essential Research Resource 

The PHYTOBANK is a collection of more than 220 cultured microalgae from the Indian Ocean, developed over several years in our laboratory. It serves as a valuable tool for the commercialization of microalgae and the development of a microalgae industry in Réunion. 

Furthermore, the region offers significant potential for microalgae cultivation, particularly for the production of high-value-added products, thanks to its highly favorable climate and remarkable biodiversity. Upstream, our expertise in strain isolation, identification, and control of culture conditions provides a springboard for the development of this biotechnology, which is of interest to many innovative companies in Réunion within the blue economy sector (nutraceuticals, environment, renewable energy, etc.).

Various avenues for utilizing PHYTOBANK strains have thus been developed since 2012, leading to the emergence of new applications for microalgae, such as in the antifouling paint sector. 

OBJECTIVES

The POMARUN Project (Biotechnological Potential of Microalgae in Réunion) aims to identify new avenues for the commercialization of microalgae and to develop related biotechnologies in the region, and is structured around three main areas:

Axis 1: Evaluation of the bioactive properties of strains from the PHYTOBANK

   -> Evaluate the antioxidant properties of freshwater Chlorophyceae species from Réunion that are rich in pigments such as lutein, zeaxanthin, and astaxanthin (a partnership between CYROI and CNRS).

   -> Evaluate the antifungal and antibacterial activity of marine dinoflagellate strains (genus Amphidinium) and test the efficacy of microalgae extracts against plant pathogens affecting crops in Réunion (a partnership between CIRAD and CYROI).

Axis 2: Screening and isolation of new strains from extreme environments or belonging to species already in commercial use

   -> to isolate strains from Réunion of species already on the market (Haematococcus, Chlorella, etc.) that exhibit potentially more desirable physiological characteristics (growth, yield, bioactivity).

   -> Enrich the PHYTOBANK with unique strains by exploring pristine environments and ecosystems and/or those subject to fluctuating conditions, which promote the production of novel metabolites.

Priority Area 3: Securing PHYTOBANK strains and optimizing preservation methods

   -> Explore new short- and long-term preservation methods to optimize the strain conservation strategy.