Microalgae are known to produce beneficial nutrient compounds that can supplement the human diet. With the increasing importance of resource-efficient nutrient production and alternative meat-free protein sources, the ability of microalgae to produce protein-rich biomass with minimal input has made microalgae an alternate protein source of interest.

Using microalgae to produce protein rich food comes with many benefits, both nutritional and environmental. Microalgae-based biomass can comprise 50% or more protein -  higher levels than those found in traditional protein sources such as meat, dairy, and soy. Microalgae-based protein also has a complete essential amino acids profile, in addition to vitamins and polyunsaturated fatty acids. We are interested in using waste-products from the food industry to grow microalgae, contributing to the reduction in waste outputs from food manufacturing processes.

The research on microalgal-based nutrients at the Case Lab investigates:

• ideal conditions for growing microalgal strains, including the use of wastewater sources

• investigating bacteria that nutritionally interact with microalgae to increase protein production in microalgae

• using bacteria to optimize lipids and vitamins in microalgae for a vegan diet