CORDIS results pack on algae.
Date: 2019-08-09
Institutions: CORDIS, Publications Office of the European Union
Subjects: algae, applied research, aquaculture, innovation, research project, research results

CORDIS Results Pack on 
algae

ISSN 2599-8293

April 2019

Discovering 
algae’s power 
as a renewable 
resource

Research and 
Innovation

A thematic collection of innovative EU-funded research resultsContents

3

Microalgae with macro 
potential

5

A novel photobioreactor 
for low-cost microalgae 
cultivation

6

Taking tomorrow’s 
sustainable super crop 
from lab to market 

8

Symbiotic algae-bacteria 
treat saline wastewater

10

Seaweed safety put to the 
test

11

SMILE for weight loss and 
memory boost

13

An edible sunscreen 
product

15

Algae-based fertiliser 
turns vegetable farming 
green

17

Omega-3 from seaweed

Editorial

Algae  provide  an  effective,  sustainable,  unlimited  and  almost  entirely 
untapped resource for bio-based processes and products. Dense with energy 
and rich in nutrients, this natural product is ripe for exploitation by forward-
thinking research organisations and commercial companies.

An  almost  endless  number  of  products  may  be  produced  from  algae,  thanks  to  the  vast 
number  of  species,  whose  composition  can  be  influenced  by  changing  the  cultivation 
conditions.  They  range  from  minute  unicellular  organisms  that  may  be  seen  only  through 
a  microscope  (microalgae)  to  multicellular  forms  (macroalgae),  more  commonly  known  as 
seaweed.

The successful exploitation of algae can help solve unsustainable processes, thereby boosting 
the bioeconomy and aiding the transition to a more sustainable society and a cleaner, healthier 
environment. Furthermore, their use in a variety of commercial applications helps to reduce 
pressures on land-based products or non-renewable resources.

The importance of algae

Algal communities are important components of marine ecosystems and several macroalgae 
species are used as food or as a habitat by organisms such as fish or invertebrates. Algae 
also provide bioremediation services through the uptake of dissolved nutrients from the water 
that, if not removed, could cause eutrophication. Because they are photosynthetic organisms, 
algae can contribute to carbon sequestration, thereby helping to reduce ocean acidification.

The European Union’s latest Bioeconomy and Blue Growth strategies show that algal biomass 
is becoming increasingly significant as a resource for a variety of commercial applications. 
According  to  the  European  Commission’s  2018  Annual  Economic  Report  on  the  EU’s  Blue 
Economy, the EU algae biomass sector currently employs 14 000 people and has a value of 
EUR 1.69 billion, which includes research and development, equipment production and jobs in 
the larger supply chain that depend on output from the algae sector.

Increased  production  of  macroalgae  and  microalgae  is  gaining  widespread  recognition  in 
Europe as an important resource that can be used as a raw material for a wide range of uses. A 
growing number of companies are now involved in harvesting, cultivating, or processing algae to 
create a wide range of high-value products, including food, animal feed, nutraceuticals, fertiliser 
and bio-based products, thereby contributing to the success of the European Blue Economy. 

Spotlight on innovation

This  CORDIS  Results  Pack  highlights  nine  projects  funded  under  the  EU’s  Horizon  2020 
Research  and  Innovation  programme,  investigating  industrial  processes  and  applications 
involving microalgae and seaweed. These include food, cosmetics, recycling, health and water 
quality. The pack also raises awareness of the importance of this growing economic sector 
among consumers. 

Microalgae with macro 
potential

Algae are incredibly diverse with applications in the food, cosmetics and 

pharmaceuticals industry. To maximise the potential of algae as farmed crops, it is 

paramount to study and understand their microbiome.

To  meet  the  growing  demand  for  algae  but  also  understand 
their role in ecosystem functioning, more information on their 
biology  is  required.  As  part  of  the  Marie  Skłodowska-Curie 
Innovative Training Network, the ALFF project set out to study 
and control both beneficial and harmful microbes, collectively 
known as the algal microbiome.

characterise their interactions through state-of-the-art genomics, 
molecular  and  biochemical  techniques.  “Our  key  goal  was  to 
identify which microorganisms control algal morphogenesis, are 
indispensable to algal survival or cause devastating diseases,″ 
explains project coordinator Ms Claire Gachon.

On algae-microorganism  

interactions

ALFF  was  an  international  collaboration  aiming  to  train  early-
stage  researchers  in  the  field,  advance  algal  cultivation  and 
devise  new  biocontrol  strategies.  Project  partners  worked  to 
identify naturally occurring algal symbionts and pathogens and 

ALFF  researchers  have  made  significant  scientific  discoveries 
including  the  identification  of  novel  groups  of  phytoplankton 
parasites  and  the  presence  of  bacterial  genes  in  subcellular 
structures known as plastids of some microalgae. The consortium 
has also had a key role in the publication of a reference genome 
for the sea lettuce Ulva, which will set a gold standard for the 
entire research community for years to come.  

Furthermore,  scientific  data  emerging  from  ALFF  can  be 
exploited  for  developing  concrete  and  environmentally-

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3

CORDIS Results Pack on algaeDiscovering algae’s power as a renewable resource 
friendly  solutions  for  the  reduction  of  biofilm  formation  in 
photobioreactors used for microalgal cultivation. In this context, 
researchers  tested  a  number  of  compounds  for  reducing  the 
impact of diseases in microalgal production facilities.

Maximising  

microbiome potential

The  fundamental  knowledge  generated  during  ALFF  will 
help  address  the  challenges  associated  with  the  commercial 
exploitation  of  algae  and  enhance  the  rapidly  developing 
industry  of  algal  aquaculture.  The  information  will  also  be 
useful  for  the  energy  industry,  which  is  developing  biofuels 
from both microalgae and seaweeds that could serve as crude 
oil substitutes.

reached  by 
the  diversity  of  audiences 
To  maximise 
the  programme,  ALFF  partners  undertook  a  broad 
range  of  outreach  and  dissemination  activities.  First 
year  multimedia  technology  students  at  the  Karel  de 
short  animation  videos 
Grote  Hogeschool  produced 
about  ALFF  explaining 
the  concepts  of  parasitism,  
symbiosis,  biofilms  and  endosymbiosis  between  bacteria 
and algae. These were showcased in 2016 at UGC cinemas 
in  Antwerp  and  later  refined  and  featured  on  the  project 
website.  Gachon  underlines  the  importance  of  “getting 
the  public  to  understand  the  opportunities  and  issues 
relating  to  the  sustainable  use  of  our  aquatic  freshwater 
the  EU.″ 
and  marine 

resources,  within  and  beyond 

PROJECT
ALFF - The Algal Microbiome: Friends and Foes 

COORDINATED BY
The Scottish Association for Marine Science LBG, 
United Kingdom

FUNDED UNDER
H2020

CORDIS FACTSHEET 
cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/193927

PROJECT WEBSITE
msc-alff.org/ 

Supporting 

innovation capacity

Our key goal was to 
identify which 
microorganisms 
control algae 
morphogenesis, are 
indispensable to 
algal survival or 
cause devastating 
diseases.

Project activities have advanced research 
and innovation-related human resources, 
with  early-stage  researchers  developing 
unique, interdisciplinary scientific profiles. 
In addition, ALFF demonstrated excellent 
cross-sectoral  collaboration  with 
the 
industry  and  strengthened  the  European 
innovation  capacity  in  the  field.  “The 
structure  of  the  project,  together  with 
first-rate financial resources, have enabled us to work as a team 
and to strive for excellence at all times,″ emphasises Gachon.  

Algae  have  an  almost  untapped  biotechnology  potential, 
but  current  research  focuses  on  metabolite  discovery, 
aquaculture yield improvement and engineering bottlenecks. 
As  agricultural  practices  show,  controlling  the  interaction  of 
land crops with mutualistic or pathogenic microbes is critical 
to successful production.

4

CORDIS Results Pack on algaeDiscovering algae’s power as a renewable resource  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A novel photobioreactor 
for low-cost microalgae 
cultivation

An EU-funded project developed a novel photobioreactor that produces sustainable 

chemicals from microalgae. The yield of microalgae in this novel reactor is 400 % 

higher compared to the state of the art.

The  world  is  shifting  towards  a  bio-based  economy  to  meet 
the  growing  demand  for  more  sustainable  food,  materials, 
chemicals, pharmaceuticals and energy. Microalgae cultivation 
is an effective, sustainable and unlimited resource for valuable 
bio-based processes and products. However, the industry has 
reached  a  standstill  in  recent  decades,  with  relatively  low 
yields, recurring contaminations and high costs.

High-capacity,  

low-cost production

According to the latest estimates, the European algae biomass 
market  is  worth  around  EUR  3  billion  and  is  expected  to 
generate a compound growth rate of 6.7 % (2017 to 2022). 
However, microalgae cultivation is still expensive and inefficient 
– the low production rates, which are less than 400 gr/m3 per 
day, prohibit wide-scale usage in different industrial sectors.

Partly  funded  by  the  EU,  the  Brevel  project  developed  a 
photobioreactor that can produce microalgae on an industrial 
scale at low costs. “Our new system solves the capacity and 
cost issues associated with microalgae production. The core 
innovation is the use of optical fibres that distributes sunlight 
to  microalgae  cultures  effectively  and  efficiently,”  notes 
Yonatan Golan, CEO of Brevel Ltd.

What’s more, the photobioreactor is fully automated and relies 
on  advanced  image  analysis,  machine-learning  and  constant 
online  monitoring  and  control  technologies.  With  a  capacity 
that is 400 % higher than current microalgae cultivation 

systems and its affordable cost, it is set to lead the microalgae 
industry  forward  and  help  foster  the  European  bioeconomy. 

Recovering natural astaxanthin

Microalgae are photosynthetic microorganisms that can rapidly 
generate  biomass  from  solar  energy,  carbon  dioxide  and 
nutrients found in water. In particular, they are one of the most 
promising groups of organisms for the sustainable commercial 
production  of  bioproducts  such  as  natural  pigments  and 
antioxidants including astaxanthin.

© Chokniti Khongchum, Shutterstock

The global astaxanthin market size was estimated at EUR 600 
million in 2016. But although demand for natural astaxanthin 

5

CORDIS Results Pack on algaeDiscovering algae’s power as a renewable resourceBeing the first of its 
kind, our novel 
photobioreactor can 
meet the increased 
demand for using 
natural colourants 
instead of synthetic, 
promoting 
consumption of 
healthier salmon.

has been steadily increasing, over 95 % of the 
currently available astaxanthin is produced 
synthetically due to lower production costs.

photobioreactor is commercialised and will be sold to salmon 
feed  manufacturers  at  a  comparable  price  to  the  synthetic 
carotenoid”.djhsjhadsjadsagdgsdgahgjhsdjgadjggsdd 

Humans  mainly  use  astaxanthin  as  a 
dietary  supplement.  This  carotenoid 
pigment can also be used as an animal feed 
additive  providing  the  orange/red  colour  in 
farm-raised  salmon.  “Being  the  first  of  its 
kind,  our  novel  photobioreactor  can  meet 
the  increased  demand  for  using  natural 
colourants  instead  of  synthetic,  promoting 
consumption  of  healthier  salmon,” 
concludes Golan.

PROJECT
Brevel - A solar based, internally-illuminated 
bioreactor for microalgae cultivation

COORDINATED BY
Brevel Ltd, Israel

FUNDED UNDER
H2020

Microalgae cultivation can make an important 
contribution  towards  transitioning  to  a  bio-based  economy. 
Natural astaxanthin will be the first product derived once the Brevel 

CORDIS FACTSHEET 
cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/218508

PROJECT WEBSITE
brevel.co.il/

Taking tomorrow’s 
sustainable super crop 
from lab to market

Microalgae cultivation can play a vital role in transitioning to a more sustainable 

society and biobased economy. An EU initiative has helped to commercialise several 

disruptive products by cultivating this super crop.

Microalgae are Earth’s most efficient CO2 capture system. They 
are  an  inexhaustible  raw  material  with  the  highest  protein 
content on the planet, and a source of sustainable and unlimited 
biofuels.  They  boost  agricultural  productivity  and  make  daily 
harvesting possible. For these main reasons, microalgae have 
the potential to address societal challenges like environmental 

sustainability,  energy  efficiency  and  food 
security.

The  EU-funded 
INTERCOME  project  was 
based  on  the  photosynthesis  phenomenon, 
a biological process essential to life on Earth 

Basically, we turned 
an operational 
demonstration 
production plant in 
southern Spain into 
a fully commercial 
industrial facility.

6

CORDIS Results Pack on algaeDiscovering algae’s power as a renewable resource 
 
 
 
 
that  microalgae  have  been  carrying  out  for  billions  of  years. 
Fostered by light energy, photosynthesis transforms inorganic 
compounds into organic matter. “We optimised this process and 
reproduced  it  intensively,”  says  Carlos  Rodriguez-Villa  Förster, 
Managing  Director  of  AlgaEnergy,  a  company  specialising 
in  microalgae  biotechnology.  This  was  done  to  “obtain  very 
valuable products derived from microalgae biomass in meeting 
the growing needs of different sectors, particularly agriculture, 
nutrition, cosmetics and aquaculture.”

guarantee  safety  and  quality  processes.  Lastly,  they  obtained 
product certifications for biomass and the final products. 

The market isn’t aware of microalgae as a raw material and the 
benefits of microalgae-based products. INTERCOME addressed 
to  commercialisation  by  extensively 
these  bottlenecks 
disseminating 
its  activities,  promoting  microalgae-based 
solutions to targeted sectors and explaining their advantages 
compared to existing solutions.

Upscaling microalgae  

Explosive company growth

production capacity

INTERCOME  validated  the  productive  process  and  further 
developed  AlgaEnergy’s  production  facilities.  This  helped  to 
guarantee  a  high  quality  supply  of  microalgae  throughout 
the  year.  “Basically,  we  turned  an  operational  demonstration 
production  plant  in  southern  Spain  into  a  fully  commercial 
industrial facility,” he notes. 

Project  partners  designed  and  implemented  a  modulated 
production  plant,  and  elaborated  an  operation  protocol  to 
simultaneously  culture  various  microalgae  strains  without 
risking  contamination.  They  modified 
the  operational 
facilities to ensure the culturing capacity during seasons with 
suboptimal temperatures.  

Thanks to INTERCOME, AlgaEnergy’s revenues shot up, and so 
did its attractiveness to partners and investors. A multinational 
industrial automation company invested EUR 10 million to buy 
a minor stake in AlgaEnergy. “This capital injection substantially 
increased  the  company’s  value,”  says  Förster.  The  strategic 
business  collaboration  will  help  in  developing  microalgae 
culturing technologies, accelerating the development of novel 
products and reducing costs to enter new markets. 

According to Förster, AlgaEnergy is the first company focused 
on applying microalgae to agriculture. Farmers are benefiting 
from  a  competitive  solution  that  enables  them  to  greatly 
increase  profitability  and  competitiveness  thanks  to  higher 
productivity  and  quality,  and  a  better  response  to  stress  like 
climate change. The customer repetition rate is over 90 %. In the 
cosmetics domain, AlgaEnergy has developed 3 lines totalling 
18 products that will be launched to the market in 2019.

AlgaEnergy is going global. It’s exporting innovative solutions 
to  over  20  countries  and  opening  the  first  subsidiaries  in 
Japan, India, Italy and the United States. Mexico, Brazil and 
Australia will soon follow.

PROJECT
INTERCOME - INTERnational COmmercialization 
of innovative products based on MicroalgaE

© Manu Padilla, Shutterstock

The project team stabilised microalgae biomass to be produced 
in different delivery formats such as fresh paste and freeze-dried. 
It conditioned the processing facilities by making the necessary 
production layout adjustments and equipment upgrades. 

The  researchers  scaled  up  the  culture  volume  of  selected 
strains  for  four  main  products:  agricultural  biostimulants, 
skincare dermocosmetics, nutrition additives and hatchery feed. 
They  implemented  the  production  and  practices  protocol  to 

COORDINATED BY
AlgaEnergy S.A., Spain

FUNDED UNDER
H2020 

CORDIS FACTSHEET 
cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/206372

PROJECT WEBSITE
algaenergy.es/intercome/ 

7

CORDIS Results Pack on algaeDiscovering algae’s power as a renewable resourceSymbiotic algae-bacteria 
treat saline wastewater

An EU-funded project is exploiting the beneficial symbiotic relationship between 

algae and bacteria for recovering water, energy and nutrients from salty wastewater 

cost-effectively.

The  food  and  drink  industries  produce  vast  amounts  of 
wastewater each year. Although the  effluents  are  controlled 
by  EU  Directives,  some  parts  of  the  sector  –  notably 
canned  fish,  meat  processing,  pickled  vegetables,  tanneries, 
aquaculture and others – produce very salty water with high 
levels of organic matter. Not only is this effluent harmful to 
the environment, but it is also difficult and expensive to treat, 
especially for small businesses.

“The main cost in wastewater treatment is the energy needed 
to  oxygenate  the  wastewater  for  the  bacteria  breaking  down 
organic  waste  to  breathe,”  notes  Dr  Jose  Ignacio  Lozano,  who 
had  been  leading  the  EU-funded  project  SALTGAE.  By  adding 
algae  into  the  water  treatment  equation,  the  project  targets 
to  reduce  the  total  cost  of  water  treatment  by  25  %.  It  gets 

even better: the process produces energy in the form of biogas 
(methane) that can be used for power applications and recover 
nutrients  (mainly  phosphorous  and  nitrogen)  that  in  excessive 
amounts can pollute the water.

A well-orchestrated synergy

SALTGAE’s modular water treatment technology purifies saline 
wastewater  containing  considerable  amounts  of  organic 
matter, while also valorising the resulting biomass into different 
by-products. 

In  a  first  stage,  wastewater  with  a  high  biochemical  oxygen 
demand (DBO) is treated by a two-phase anaerobic digestion 

8

© Sergio Ibáñez Pérez

CORDIS Results Pack on algaeDiscovering algae’s power as a renewable resourceprocess. In this stage, organic matter is converted into biomass, 
thanks to the carefully selected bacteria that can adapt to high 
saline levels.

algal biomass produced in all sites was successfully tested in 
several products ranging from feed for piglets, protective edible 
coatings for fruit or bio-composites for 3D printing.

Although SMEs 
make up only 5 % 
of the EU’s food and 
drink sector, they 
total 15 000 
business with a 
combined turnover 
of EUR 64 billion, so 
the market is 
substantial.

(phosphorous 

Another stage involves passing this partially 
cleaned  water  to  an  algal  pond,  where  a 
consortium  of  algae  and  bacteria  recover 
nitrogen), 
nutrients 
and 
valorising  algae  extracts 
into  chemicals, 
edible  coatings,  and  new  construction 
materials. Working symbiotically, the bacteria 
transform the remaining organic matter into 
CO2.  This  is  consumed  by  the  algae,  which 
convert it into their own biomass using solar 
energy.  At  the  same  time,  the  bacteria  are 
fed oxygen by algae. 

The  third  stage  of  SALTGAE’s  treatment 
technology 
involves  use  of  membrane 
technology  to  remove  salinity  and  aid  the 
reuse of high-quality water.

Opportunities for SMEs

Three  demonstration  sites 
representing  three  different 
scenarios are now running. “Using a combination of bacteria 
and  algae  allows  us  to  save  90  %  of  the  energy  required 
for  aeration,  while  also  recycling  CO2  that  would  otherwise 
be released into the atmosphere. What’s more, the produced 
algal biomass can be further utilised and sold,” adds technical 
manager Mr Robert Reinhard. 

SALTGAE  provides  significant  benefits  for  SMEs,  making  it 
possible for them to treat their effluent more economically and 
effectively with the sale of biomass as a new source of revenue. 
“Talking  of  numbers,  a  cubic  metre  of  municipal  wastewater  
requires up to 7 kWh for removing dissolved organic pollutants; 
we typically spend an additional 0.5 kWh for aeration,” explains 
Dr Lozano. “Although SMEs make up only 5 % of the EU’s food 
and drink sector, they total 15 000 business with a combined 
turnover  of  EUR  64  billion,  so  the  market  is  substantial,” 
concludes Mr Reinhard.

PROJECT
SALTGAE - Demonstration project to prove the 
techno-economic feasibility of using algae 
to treat saline wastewater from the food 
industry

COORDINATED BY
FUNDITEC - Foundation for Development and
Technological Innovation, Spain 

FUNDED UNDER
H2020

CORDIS FACTSHEET 
cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/203268

The  site  in  Italy  is  treating  effluent  from  the  milk  industry,  a 
plant  in  Slovenia  is  dealing  with  tannery  waste  water,  while 
the  site  in  Israel  is  processing  waste  from  fish  farming.  The 

PROJECT WEBSITE
saltgae.eu/ 

9

CORDIS Results Pack on algaeDiscovering algae’s power as a renewable resource 
Seaweed safety put to 
the test

Growing population demands necessitate alternative sustainable food sources such as 

seaweed. However, safety of seaweed products must first be addressed before extensive 

human consumption.

Seaweed contains high amounts of arsenic in 
different chemical forms, which can be toxic to 
humans  and  animals,  causing  various  health 
problems  including  cancer.  Although  arsenic 
is  mainly  toxic  in  its  inorganic  form,  little  is 
known about the safety of arsenic encountered 
in  organic  compounds  such  as  arsenosugars, 
and especially arsenolipids found in seaweed. 
It is of paramount importance to evaluate the 
toxicity of seaweed arsenic compounds.

Measuring arsenic in 

seaweed

Our main goal was 
to provide key 
reference data that 
are essential for risk 
assessment of 
algae used for 
human consumption 
and identify the 
best season for 
harvesting seaweed 
where the amount 
of toxic arsenic is at 
its lowest.

that  can  distinguish  between  the  different 
arsenic species. 

In addition, they analysed the arsenic species 
in  different  sections  of  the  seaweed  for 
example  holdfast,  stipe,  young  frond,  old 
frond and reproduction system. “The idea was 
to identify potential environmental conditions 
that  affect  arsenic  content  in  seaweed  and 
increase understanding on where the different 
arsenic  species  are  formed  in  the  seaweed,″ 
continues Dr Gunnlaugsdóttir.

To  contribute  to  consumer  safety,  under  the 
Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowship, scientists 
of  the  EU-funded  SilhouetteOfSeaweed 
initiative  had  to  overcome  existing  limitations  associated 
with  the  measurement  of  arsenic  compounds.  For  this 
purpose,  the  non-profit,  independent  research  company 
Matís  collaborated  with  a  European  partner  organisation 
with  expertise  in  the  measurement  of  arsenolipids.  “Our 
main  goal  was  to  provide  key  reference  data  that  are 
essential  for  risk  assessment  of  algae  used  for  human 
consumption  and  identify  the  best  season  for  harvesting 
seaweed where the amount of toxic arsenic is at its lowest,″ 
explains project coordinator Dr Gunnlaugsdóttir.

Results  showed  that  arsenolipids  accounted 
for  2-16  %  of  the  total  arsenic  in  seaweed, 
while  the  toxic  inorganic  form  of  arsenic 
accounted  for less than 1 % in the seaweed 
species  investigated.  This  finding  suggested 
that  arsenolipids  may  be  a  significant 
contributor  to  seaweed  toxicity.  Arsenic  and  arsenosugar 
composition were found to be species specific, suggesting 
that certain seaweed species are more suitable for human 
consumption. 

Interestingly, when scientists associated the seaweed arsenic 
content  with  environmental  conditions,  they  discovered 
that  total  and  inorganic  arsenic  were  the  lowest  during 
the  summer  months.  The  total  content  of  arsenolipids  also 
indicated it was higher in winter/spring than summer/autumn. 

It  is  unclear  where  and  how  arsenosugars  and  arsenolipids 
are  produced,  but  most  likely  this  happens  within  the 
seaweed. After establishing the necessary facilities at Matís, 
researchers analysed the arsenolipid, arsenosugar and total 
arsenic  chemical  profile  of  four  different  species  of  edible 
brown algae using arsenic speciation, an analytical technique 

Since  the  ideal  harvest  time  of  these  seaweeds  is  often 
in  spring  or  early  summer,  the  findings  underline  the 
importance  of  more  research  on  the  toxicity  and  effect 
arsenolipids may have on human health. Researchers hope 
that this observation will improve our understanding of how 
and where arsenolipids are formed.

10

CORDIS Results Pack on algaeDiscovering algae’s power as a renewable resource© divedog, Shutterstock

Considering  the  potential  of  seaweed  as  a  sustainable 
source  of  raw  materials  in  the  food  industry,  it  is  important 
to  underpin  the  safety  requirements  for  the  marketing  of 
seaweed-based food products in Europe. Dr Gunnlaugsdóttir 
is  confident  that  SilhouetteOfSeaweed  project  findings  can 
serve as the foundation for future legislation on toxic arsenic 
species, ensuring product safety and public health along with 
food security.

PROJECT
SilhouetteOfSeaweed – Overcoming barriers 
in estimating toxicity of arsenic species in 
seaweeds

Improving food safety and  

public health

COORDINATED BY
MATIS OHF, Iceland

FUNDED UNDER
H2020

The need for estimating arsenic composition in different foods 
was underlined by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) 
article ‘Scientific Opinion on Arsenic in Food’ (2009).  The results 
of  the  SilhouetteOfSeaweed  project  provide  unprecedented 
knowledge  on  the  amount  and  distribution  of  arsenolipids  in 
seaweed and are central for the risk assessment of algae. 

CORDIS FACTSHEET 
cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/195292

PROJECT WEBSITE
english.matis.is/

SMILE for weight loss and 
memory boost

A new food supplement ingredient for weight management and sustained cognitive 

function – SMILE – is being extracted and formulated by a unique process from 

specially selected marine microalgae.

With EU funding for the project SMILE  (Slimming and Memory-
Booster MIcroaLgae Extract), the French start-up Microphyt 
has developed and produced a new flagship product, also 

known as SMILE. “Control of the whole process from A to Z 
including marketing ensures optimal sustainability and cost-
effectiveness,”  points  out  Vincent  Usache,  Microphyt  CEO.

11

CORDIS Results Pack on algaeDiscovering algae’s power as a renewable resourceTests for safety and  

efficacy a priority

extraction of fucoxanthin and the polyunsaturated fatty acids. 
A paper has been published in the journal Molecules.

Application for the authorisation of SMILE ingredients, screened 
for  nutritional  composition  and  toxins,  was  submitted  to  the 
European  Commission  at  the  end  of  2018.  Overall  results 
demonstrated  the  robustness  of  the  SMILE  process  and  the 
safety of its ingredients taking into account compliance with 
current legislation.

Patents filed and  

marketing in full 

swing

Control of the whole 
process from A to Z 
including marketing 
ensures optimal 
sustainability and 
cost-effectiveness.

Microphyt  has  already  started  to  prepare 
for  the  arrival  on  the  market  of  the  SMILE 
ingredients  by  assembling  relevant  market 
tools.  To  date,  20  potential  customers  have 
been  visited  and  Microphyt  continues  to 
communicate  with  other  possible  clients  via 
its website and international exhibitions.

Two ingenious methods relating to the ingredients have been 
patented  during  the  SMILE  project.  Management  of  light 
availability  for  each  microalga  cell  during  culture  increases 
the  accumulation  of  secondary  pigments  up  to  twice  the 
concentration quoted in literature data.

The  second  patent  deals  with  the  use  of  SMILE  ingredients 
and their specific composition to prevent cognitive disorders in 
humans and animals. Among these, cognitive decline with age 
and cognitive alterations induced by prenatal stress can occur 
over an individual’s lifetime. As demonstrated in the preclinical 
model,  SMILE  ingredients  provide  significant  improvement  in 
cognitive functions such as short-term memory

Microphyt  has  also  successfully  conducted  preclinical  studies 
on mice to confirm the efficacy of the pool of active molecules 
in SMILE – marine xanthophylls and omega-3 fatty acids – that 
act in synergy at several levels of brain function.

The power of a SMILE

Production of active ingredients occurs in 5 000-litre–capacity 
unique tubular photobioreactors. The closed cultivation system 
ensures  total  control  of  inputs  and  the  absence  of  external 
contamination. After biomass harvest, freezing and drying, the 
green extraction process completes valorisation.

SMILE  ingredients  are  a  carefully  balanced  formula  of  three 
independent  fractions.  Active  ingredients  –  xanthophylls  and 
omega-3  fatty  acids  –  are  dissolved  in  the  matrix,  based  on 
natural  coconut  oil.  A  natural  antioxidant  is  added  to  protect 
the active molecules from oxidation and extend the shelf life 
of the product.

Research  by  Microphyt  product  manager  Dr  Antoine  Delbrut 
established cost-effective and eco-friendly parameters for co-

12

© microphyt

CORDIS Results Pack on algaeDiscovering algae’s power as a renewable resource 
SMILE of the future

Researchers are ready to follow up on the European application 
and  answer  any  questions  from  the  European  Food  Safety 
Authority. For the American market, the New Dietary Ingredients 
file is in progress.

Testing  for  efficacy  continues  full  steam.  This  year,  several 
ingredients from the SMILE range will be tested in a series of eight 
preclinical studies on different applications, including additional 
studies  on  cognitive  maintenance  and  weight  management. 

PROJECT
SMILE - Slimming and Memory-Booster 
MIcroaLgae Extract

COORDINATED BY
Microphyt, France    

FUNDED UNDER
H2020

CORDIS FACTSHEET 
cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/205002

The  most  promising  extract-application  combinations  will  be 
selected  for  a  clinical  study  panel  to  confirm  the  beneficial 
effects on humans.

PROJECT WEBSITE 
microphyt.eu/en/objective-smile/

An edible sunscreen 
product

Everyday use of beauty and personal care products exposes people to more than 100 

chemicals with potential toxic effects. Alternative technologies are required that are 

more friendly to the skin and the environment.

Many  chemicals  present  in  beauty  products  such  as 
parabens  or  phthalates  cause  undesirable  toxic  effects 
in humans and the environment. Even UV filter molecules 
present  in  sunscreen  creams  designed  to  protect  against 
sunlight  exposure  are  absorbed  by  the  body,  causing 
disruptive effects on the endocrine system.

To  address  this  issue,  the  EU-funded  TARASÓL  project 
developed  an  innovative  sunscreen  formulation  that  is 
purely organic and risk-fee. The filter has been designed, 
developed and commercialised by the Icelandic company 
Taramar.  As  founder  and  CEO  of  Taramar,  Prof.  Gudrun 
Marteinsdottir explains, “TARASÓL is the result of years 
of  basic  research  in  marine  biology  and  nutritional 
science  leading  to  novel  knowledge  on  the  functional 
properties of seaweed.″

Employing seaweed properties 

for sunscreen

The  Taramar  team  of  scientists  generated  a  method  for 
producing  water-based  skincare  products  utilising  unique 
compounds  with  beneficial  properties  for  skin  and  body.  The 
science has been conducted in collaboration with European and 
USA  universities  and  research  institutes.  Most  of  the  results 
have been published in scientific journals.

Research  results  showed  that  the  Icelandic  seaweed  has 
antioxidant powers similar to green tea and cranberries. Seaweed 
extracts  have  the  capacity  to  stimulate  immunomodulating 
responses and protect skin cells from aging.

13

CORDIS Results Pack on algaeDiscovering algae’s power as a renewable resource 
Taking TARASÓL to the market

Like  all  the  other  formulas  by  Taramar,  the  innovative 
TARASÓL product is a fully natural formulation that renders 
it technically edible and remains stable at room temperature 
for more than a year. “There is nothing similar to TARASÓL on 
the market today,″ states Prof. Marteinsdottir. 

According  to  Prof.  Marteinsdottir,  the  next  step  of  Taramar 
is  to  “optimise  all  processes,  set  up  the  production  and 
the  market  and  distribution.″  The  organic  personal  care 
and  cosmetics  global  market  is  estimated  to  grow  at 
approximately  10  %  per  year,  with  organic  sunscreens 
calculated  to  be  worth  nearly  EUR  200   million  per  year. 
As  a  result,  TARASÓL  is  expected  to  be  a  commercial 
success, significantly increasing the company’s revenue and 
doubling the number of jobs by year 2023. Considering the 
health-related  impact  of  cosmetic  chemicals  on  endocrine 
function and fertility, TARASÓL provides a safer alternative, 
giving the opportunity to people to stay in the sun without 
compromising their health.

PROJECT
TARASÓL - The pioneering bio-marine 
liposomal Sunscreen released to the skin upon 
sunlight exposure

COORDINATED BY
TARAMAR EHF, Iceland

FUNDED UNDER
H2020

CORDIS FACTSHEET 
cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/213629

PROJECT WEBSITE
taramar.com

© HstrongART, Shutterstock

After  overcoming  a  number  of  research  and  development 
challenges,  Taramar  scientists  succeeded  at  producing  a  UV 
filter  that  avoids  the  toxic  and  harmful  chemicals  currently 
used in most beauty products in the market. At the same time, 
they  discovered  safe  and  natural  methods  to  preserve  the 
functional properties of the seaweed bioactive molecules while 
prohibiting  microbial  growth  with  the  NoTox™ 
technology. As a result, the TARASÓL UV filter 
lacks conventional preservatives and is 100 % 
safe for skin and body. The antioxidant and 
anti-inflammatory  properties  of  seaweed 
provide  additional  and  clearly  visible  benefits 
to the skin. 

Furthermore, researchers observed that some 
organic  compounds  such  as  collagen  and 
vitamin  C  cannot  be  easily  transferred  over  
cell membranes. Therefore, they encapsulated 
the seaweed components in a liposome-based 
delivery  system  that  stabilises  and  releases 
the bioactive UV filter upon sunlight exposure.

TARASOL is the 
result of years of 
basic research in 
marine biology and 
nutritional science 
leading to novel 
knowledge on
the functional 
properties of 
seaweed.

14

CORDIS Results Pack on algaeDiscovering algae’s power as a renewable resourceAlgae-based fertiliser 
turns vegetable farming 
green

There is a growing demand for ‘green’ vegetables but farmers are reluctant to change 

to these revenue-generating practices. Researchers have made it easier for farmers to 

get their products labelled as green through sustainable, easy-to-adopt technology..

In the beginning we 
definitely want to 
obtain experience 
from support and 
maintenance 
coming from onsite 
ponds installed in 
Hungary, Austria 
and Romania. After 
that we will expand 
into other markets 
as well.

Regulations  and  consumer  needs  have 
expanded  the  market  for  food  products 
labelled  green.  However,  affordable 
technological  tools  to  produce  vegetables 
sustainably  are  not 
readily  available. 
To  compound  the  challenge,  European 
vegetable  suppliers  have  neither  the 
knowledge  nor  the  willingness  to  change 
their cultivation methods. 

The  EU-funded  VegaAlga  (Sustainable 
agricultural  eco-system:  business  and 
technological  solution  for  eco-conscious 
vegetable cultivation using on-site produced 
algae fertilizer) initiative set out to establish 
a  sustainable  agricultural  ecosystem  using 
microalgae-based  fertiliser.  The  VegaAlga 
team worked with the Vegetable Trading Centre – regional 
market leaders in vegetable production, and Multisense – a 
technology-intensive start-up, to create the new ecosystem. 

Project leader, Mr Zoltán Basa, says the innovation process 
was  divided  into  two  important  parts.  The  first  was  to 
improve  and  finalise  an  algae  production  system  so  that 
the  algae  can  be  cultivated  securely.  The  second  part 
was  to  successfully  show  that  the  algae  treatment  on  the 
soil  works.  “In  the  first  part,  we  selected  the  open  pond 
production  system  and  it  was  definitely  the  most  crucial 
factor,” Professor Basa explains. 

paddle  wheel  for  a  continuous  production  cycle  and  to 
prevent sedimentation. 

The  researchers  next  developed  the  VegaAlga  system  in 
which  they  grew  the  algae  in  raceway  ponds  with  optimal 
conditions  to  maximise  the  growth  rate.  The  team  created 
their own control system that they used to monitor the status 
of every pond, called “Pond Master”. They used the system 
to  monitor  parameters  such  as  pH,  electrical  conductivity, 
dissolved oxygen, and oxidation reduction potential. 

The  project  was  not  without  its  challenges,  however,  as 
Professor  Basa  explains.  “The  team  faced  issues  with  the 
size  and  the  material  of  the  ponds,  which  they  needed  to 
get correct to avoid infections that would hinder production.” 
They initially found it difficult to find partners to work with; 
Mr  Basa  found  that  SME  companies  seldom  work  with 
innovative partners outside their comfort zone. 

VegaAlga  developed  microalgae-based  fertiliser  that  was 
positively  received  by  farmers  that  tested  the  product. 
Farmers completed a questionnaire where the majority (15 
of 17 farmers) said the algae fertilisers were more effective 
than inorganic products in the market. 

The  new  product  has  generated  a  significant  amount  of 
interest:  consumers  and  industry  professionals  bombarded 
the commercial partner with questions. 

The team tested two different-sized ponds, 12m3 and 25m3, 
and installed all the ponds in a greenhouse to better control 
the physical parameters. They developed and used a special 

A Customer Development Plan was created to commercialise 
their  technology  to  produce  microalgae  sustainably,  and  in  a 
cost-effective, environmentally friendly manner. The team also 
developed a smaller microalgae-fertiliser production system to 

15

CORDIS Results Pack on algaeDiscovering algae’s power as a renewable resourceallow farmers to produce fertiliser on their own land in a cost-
effective  and  eco-friendly  way.  This  would  allow  farmers  to 
label  their  products  as  “green”  and  sustainable,  which  comes 
with a significant revenue boost. 

Looking forward, Mr Basa says the VegaAlga team will look 
for distributors of the product, as they have already started 
to build up a sales team. The project already has orders not 
only  in  the  field  of  agriculture,  and  they  plan  to  focus  on 
other potential business opportunities. 

The  VegaAlga  open  pond  system  was  selected  by  the 
Budapest  Savage  Works  Ltd.  for  innovation  support  for 
the  company  from  2018.  “In  the  beginning  we  definitely 
want  to  obtain  experience  from  support  and  maintenance 
coming from onsite ponds installed in Hungary, Austria and 
Romania,”  Mr  Basa  says.  “After  that  we  will  expand  into 
other markets as well.”

© Daxiao Productions, Shutterstock

PROJECT
VegaAlga - Sustainable agricultural eco-
system: business and technological solution 
for eco-conscious vegetable cultivation using 
on-site produced algae fertilizer

COORDINATED BY
Zöldségcentrum Kft, Hungary    

FUNDED UNDER
H2020

CORDIS FACTSHEET 
cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/213629

PROJECT WEBSITE 
vegaalga.eu/en/

16

CORDIS Results Pack on algaeDiscovering algae’s power as a renewable resourceOmega-3 from seaweed

The global demand for omega-3 fatty acids is increasing in nutraceutical, cosmetic and 

pharmaceutical applications. Current extraction methods from fish are not 

sustainable, requiring alternative and greener solutions.

©  Iryna Imago, Shutterstock

Omega-3 fatty acids are known for their capacity to prevent 
cardiovascular  disease.  Astaxanthin,  a  carotenoid  pigment 
with antioxidant capacity has received great interest due to its 
ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. It is considered a high-
value added compound for the protection of the central nervous 
system  and  for  preventing  diseases  such  as  Alzheimer  and 
dementia. The traditional chemical synthesis of astaxanthin and 
extraction practices of omega-3 suffers from low efficiency and 
lead to overfishing and high energy consumption. 

Culturing algae to  
industrial scale

By  culturing  sea  algae,  researchers  managed  to  scale  up  the 
process  to  industrial  scale  while  leaving  marine  resources 
unaffected. Microalgae have a growth rate similar to bacteria or 
yeast, allowing big biomass production in a short period of time. 

To  meet  the  growing  demand  of  these  compounds,  the  EU-
funded  VOPSA2.0  project  proposed  to  obtain  omega-3  and 
astaxanthin  from  marine  microalgae  through  a  sustainable 
industrial  bioprocess.  VOPSA2.0  was  coordinated  by  the 
Neoalgae  biotechnology  company  in  Spain.  “The  idea  was  to 
develop  an  extraction  approach  that  is  both  environmentally 
friendly and can produce the tonnes of omega-3 and astaxanthin 
required every year,″ explains project coordinator María Álvarez.

To  extract  omega-3  and  astaxanthin  from  microalgae  dry 
biomass,  researchers  developed  a  method  of  supercritical 
extraction with carbon dioxide, which bypasses the dangerous 
use of traditional organic solvents. This approach facilitated 
the  separation  of  highly  pure  omega-3  and  astaxanthin 
compounds free of pollutants, without aftertaste and suitable 
for vegans. Importantly, the entire process was achieved with 
competitive and stable production costs.

17

CORDIS Results Pack on algaeDiscovering algae’s power as a renewable resourceIn  vitro  testing  of  the  microalgae-produced  omega-3 
and  astaxanthin  validated  their  safety  for  dermatology 
use  and  led  to  the  launching  of  a  new  brand  of  cosmetic 
products  in  Neoalgae,  called  Alskin.  The  collaboration  with 
the  VOPSA  partner  Bicosome  led  to  the  development  of  a 
breakthrough mechanism for skin delivery of 
the microalgae using lipid smart technology. 
This new system, which gave rise  to a new 
brand  called  Bicoalgae®,  has  the  capacity 
to  penetrate  the  skin  epidermal 
layers 
and  deliver  the  omega-3  and  astaxanthin 
superior  antioxidant  and  anti-inflammatory 
effects where needed.

marine algae. Apart from their natural origin, these products can 
be delivered into the skin through a stable, safe and effective 
formulation. Álvarez is confident that “these products will be a 
breakthrough in the history of both companies and promote a 
long-term and successful collaboration.″

VOPSA2.0  allowed  Neoalgae  to  improve  their  facilities  and 
technological capacity and establish a new industrial plant for 
the  production  of  omega-3  and  astaxanthin.  In  view  of  the 
future,  Álvarez  emphasises  the  need  for  financial  support  by 
investors or investment funds to bring the innovative VOPSA2.0 
products to the consumer.

Taking the VOPSA2.0 

products to the 

market

PROJECT
VOPSA2.0 - Value Omega 3 and Astaxanthin 
products from SeaAlgae

COORDINATED BY
Neoalgae Micro Seaweed Products SL, Spain

The idea was to 
develop an 
extraction approach 
that is both 
environmentally 
friendly and can 
produce the tonnes 
of omega-3 and 
astaxanthin 
required every year.

Neoalgae  plan  to  commercialise  the  extracts  and  their  Alskin 
line, while Bicosome will commercialise the products Bicoalgae® 
Xanthin and Bicoalgae® omega-3 for treating acne, atopic skin 
disorders  and  aging.  Furthermore,  astaxanthin  and  omega-3 
oils  have  been  produced  alongside  Spirulina  and  astaxanthin 
capsules as nutritional supplements. 

FUNDED UNDER
H2020

CORDIS FACTSHEET 
cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/213629

Overall,  the  VOPSA2.0  project  demonstrated  the  possibility 
of  sustainably  producing  high-quality  skincare  products  from 

PROJECT WEBSITE
vopsaproject.eu/

18

CORDIS Results Pack on algaeDiscovering algae’s power as a renewable resourceCORDIS Results Pack

Available online in 6 language versions: cordis.europa.eu/article/id/401427

Published 
on behalf of the European Commission by CORDIS at the
Publications Office of the European Union
2, rue Mercier
2985 Luxembourg
LUXEMBOURG

cordis@publications.europa.eu

Editorial coordination
Zsófia TÓTH, Silvia FEKETOVÁ

Disclaimer
Online project information and links published in the current issue of the CORDIS Results Pack
are correct when the publication goes to press. The Publications Office cannot be held responsible
for information which is out of date or websites that are no longer live. Neither the Publications
Office nor any person acting on its behalf is responsible for the use that may be made of the 
information contained in this publication or for any errors that may remain in the texts,
despite the care taken in preparing them.

The technologies presented in this publication may be covered by intellectual property rights.

This Results Pack is a collaboration between CORDIS and the Directorate-General for 
Research and Innovation (DG RTD)

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CORDIS Results Pack on algaeDiscovering algae’s power as a renewable resourceCORDIS RESULTS PACK 
ON SEAFOOD

Our new Results Pack explores 13 cutting-edge  
EU-funded research projects that investigate how 
aquatic ecosystems contribute to food safety and 
healthy and sustainable nutrition in the EU and the 
rest of the world.

Check out the Pack at:
cordis.europa.eu/article/id/401247

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