Blue-green, grown in freshwater and saltwater, and potentially the biggest new source of energy? It might sound too good to be true, but microalgae has all these possibilities and one more: it can be a food source! A vital energy source in all ecosystems, microalgae can be cultivated, dried, and manipulated to extract nutrients and compounds that can be used as nutritional supplements. One SoCal company, Lyxia, is taking advantage of this amazing substance by partnering with researchers in Shenzhen, China to extract a compound that is key for cardiovascular health. We sat down with Lyxia’s Former R&D Senior Process Designer Peter Mponzi to find out more about it on the last episode of our first series, Alternative Careers in Biotech.
In Biotech, people are often on the hunt for more sustainable ways for humans to be energized in two major ways: through food and through power. This hunt takes scientists and creators all across the globe to examine where this next source lies. One search took scientists at Lyxia, a SoCal Biotech Company, to Shenzhen China where they discovered a common yet super special substance: microalgae. Microalgae are unicellular photosynthetic microorganisms, living in saline or freshwater environments, that convert sunlight, water and carbon dioxide to algal biomass. This ability makes them a key energy source in all ecosystems and an even better source of nutrients. At Lyxia, they are attempting to use microalgae to reach their goal: producing natural specialty ingredients with sun, seawater, CO2 and microalgae. Their first focus has been producing “...the essential nutrient, eicosapentaenoic acid, more commonly known as the Omega-3 EPA… We [Lyxia] have now launched a series of products based on pure, natural, vegetarian EPA that is sustainably produced from microalgae..."
How absolutely tasty is that!
We virtually sat down with Lyxia’s Former R&D Senior Process Designer Peter Mponzi to find out more about it on the last episode of our first series, Alternative Careers in Biotech.
You can also learn more about Lyxia here: http://www.lyxia.com