Green Star Says New Micronutrient Boosts Growth Rate of Algae by 34%
22 May 2008
Green Star Products, Inc. has developed a new micronutrient which increases the growth rate of certain strains of microalgae. Biotech Research, Inc., a consortium partner of Green Star, has confirmed a daily growth rate increase of 34% using the “Montana Micronutrient Booster (MMB)” formula.
This growth rate booster can increase the total biomass quantity in a harvest algae growth cycle by well over 100%. The tests were conducted at Biotech Research’s lab facility at the UABC University in Ensenada, Mexico.
The UABC testing has shown that 1:10,000 nutrient dilution rates were very productive (i.e. one gallon of MMB mixed with 10,000 gallons of water). Even at 1:20,000 dilution levels, the MMB was still effective.
Green Star will make available 12-oz sample bottles to all universities, research institutes and commercial facilities for testing on their specific strains of algae.
We do not know if this formula will work on all species of algae and Green Star intends to create a database that will be published on our website based on feedback from all entities participating in the sampling program. All participants will be asked to submit their results to Green Star and summaries will be published to the entire industry.
If the algae industry works together we will all benefit by identifying which strains of algae can be improved collectively. Hopefully, the entire industry can be accelerated into near term production.
—Joseph LaStella, president of Green Star Products
Those universities and research facilities that have previously contacted Green Star will receive the samples at no cost. All others who wish to receive the 12-oz sample formula, which can treat 3,500 liters of algae culture, will be required to pay $50 to cover ingredients, bottling, packaging, and shipping. Please send an email to Green Star at [email protected] to register.
Improved Algae may become another useful feedstock to produce alternative fuels. At $4/ounce would this growth booster be economical to use? Can it be used together/combined with CO2?
Posted by: Harvey D | 22 May 2008 at 03:44 PM
The $4/oz is a non-commercial cost including shipping and handling from the lab. Even at $4 to treat 3,500 liters - it seems fairly reasonable. I imagine that volume production would halve this cost if not more. Of course we don't know what species algae or the specific growing conditions - but a nutrient enrichening solution with a 30%+ acceleration would be a welcome addition to algal oil and CO2 sequestration systems.
Posted by: gr | 22 May 2008 at 07:17 PM
I'll take any good news I can get lately.
Posted by: Cervus | 22 May 2008 at 10:39 PM
Cervus has the right idea. Hooray for small things, they tend to pool and collect into large things.
Posted by: NCyder | 23 May 2008 at 07:29 AM
Hey! i think this is an interesting and promising avenue. I have a slightly more technical look at algae as a biofuel crop available here: http://apoptotic.wordpress.com/2008/07/21/whats-the-deal-with-biofuels/
Posted by: Apoptotic | 21 July 2008 at 05:02 PM