Objective
Cultivation, harvesting and genetic improvement of large marine algae. Use of algae for water purification and biomass production (food and fine chemicals).
This project also belongs to the EC research and development programme BRIDGE
CURRENT STATUS
Subgroup I Intensive cultivation and genetic improvement
Work in this subgroup concentrated on:
- biosynthesis of algal polysaccharides;
- protoplast production and genetic improvement;
- cell and tissue cultures;
- in situ algae cultivation.
Subgroup II: Phycocolloids and fine chemicals
The main research topics are:
- relationship between phycocolloid structure and activity;
- use of polysaccharide gels extracted from algae in biotechnology;
- protein from macroalgae.
Subgroup III: Biomass conversion, extraction and use of nutrients
The studies undertaken by the members of this subgroup cover four main areas:
- use of algae as bioindicators and as a means of reducing waste water pollution;
- treatment of marine biomass and problems of fermentation;
- use of algae as food;
- economic aspects of the various topics studied.
Subgroup IV: Production and harvesting methods
This subgroup was set up in 1989.
WORK PLANNED
The Management Committee has made the following changes to the scientific topics covered by COST project 48 for 1990-93 in order to bring it more closely into line with the Bridge programme:
1. Information infrastructure:
a. Data banks
b. Collections of tissue and cell cultures from macroalgae
c. Collections of phycocolloid reference substrate from algae.
2. High-performance technologies:
a. Isolation of protoplasts from macroalgae
b. Structure and manipulation of phycocolloids
c. Phycocolloids as immobilizing agents
d. Macroalgae as a source of polymers and fine chemicals
e. Application of biotechnology to marine biomass production
f. Additives for food conservation.
3. Cellular biology
a. Basic cellular biology
b. Physiology and molecular genetics of selected algae
4. Biotechnology and environment:
a. Use of algae as indicators of radionuclides and pollution levels
b. Cultivation of macroalgae using nutrient-rich effluent
c. Biotransformation of aquatic biomass
d. Macroalgae products in purification processes.
5. Regulatory and economic aspects:
a. Need to regulate the release of genetically improved algae into the environment
b. Marketing and economics.
Each of the four subgroups is due to meet at least once in 1990. The institutions taking part in COST project 48 also plan to exchange research scientists for short periods.
Programme(s)
Topic(s)
Data not availableCall for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
Data not availableCoordinator
4401 EA Yerseke
Netherlands