Marine microalgae immunostimulant complex to boost the competitiveness of the EU aquaculture sector

The EU aquaculture sector is of high importance for the EU economy. However, EU aquaculture producers lag behind the global competitors (mainly Asian) that offer cheap products of much lower production costs and quality standards. In order to support EU producers in this highly competitive market, it is crucial to address their production inefficiencies: 20% mortality rates and long growth periods.
Current solutions to improve competitiveness, namely use of antibiotics for mortality reduction and aquafeed with incorporated fishmeal and fish oil for improved growth, are inefficient, costly and extremely unsustainable.
Consequently, there is a high need in the EU aquaculture sector for feeding alternatives that can improve production efficiency in a sustainable, environmentally friendly and antibiotic-free manner.
In this context, and basing on the excellent properties of marine microalgae, we have developed ALGABOOSTER – an advanced aquafeed enriched with marine microalgae immunostimulant complex to boost fish immune system and growth as well as buffer the effects of stress, all in a natural way.
We are BUGGYPOWER, a Spanish SME founded in 2007, dedicated to the research and development of new microalgae-containing products as well as small-scale marine microalgae biomass production for R&D purposes and cosmetic sector.

During the SME-Instrument Phase I (August 2019-January 2020) we have conducted a feasibility study to analyse our project’s technical, commercial and financial viability.
From a technical point of view, we have (i) analysed the possibilities to improve the extrusion process parameters and of product conservation to best preserve the properties of the microalgae ingredients, (ii) evaluated the possibility of setting up an industrial-scale microencapsulation installation ;and (iii) assessed the different options for the optimisation of the ALGABOOSTER formula.
From a commercial point of view, we have (i) contacted aquafeed manufacturers in order to explore partnerships for the co-branding of ALGABOOSTER; (ii) conducted a deep and up-do-date study of ALGABOOSTER’s market – the aquaculture feed additives market, analysing our target market – the EU aquaculture market, which has led us to identify our target countries and, consequently, design our commercialisation strategy; (iii) carried out an evaluation of the regulatory requirements for the marketing of ALGABOOSTER; and (iv) assessed our IPR protection options for our microencapsulation process.
From a financial point of view, we have (i) elaborated a business plan, including the definition of our commercialisation and pricing strategies, (ii) carried out an updated financial forecast, where we have updated our financial projections for the 2022-2027 period considering the number of potential users and keeping it financially interesting for the company and (iii) conducted a detailed risk analysis including mitigation measures and contingency plans.

Current solutions for reducing fish mortality and improving growth – which are mainly immunostimulants are limited in their functionality.
Those which are already microalgae-based (i) include just one microalgae component (e.g. microalgae oil or one microalgae species), which limits product´s range of properties; (ii) cultivate their microalgae in open systems or fermenters which have very high risk of biomass contamination and generate low quality algal ingredients; and (iii) their processing methods can lead to formula impoverishment due to high temperature impact of the processing methods applied.
ALGABOOSTER, on the contrary, (i) is contains whole-cell microalgae complex of three marine microalgae species: combined properties of different species which provide maximum microalgae benefits; (ii) are cultivated in closed photobioreactors, which generates no risk of contamination and allows the obtention of pure biomass and high-quality nutritious microalgal complex; and (iii) the microalgae complex is perfectly-preserved due to microencapsulation and low temperature extrusion process, ensuring ALGABOOSTER´s highest quality.
In addition, ALGABOOSTER can be incorporated into aquafeed and destined for direct feeding, as it is straightforward, safe and easy use, and it is adjusted to the specific needs of four fish species ensuring the product´s highest functionality.
With ALGABOOSTER, we aim to reduce mortality rates by 50%-67%, achieve a faster body growth by reducing growth times by 11%-21% and improve the quality of the final product, which would allow a final product increase of 6% to 30%.

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ALGABOOSTER (Marine microalgae immunostimulant complex to boost the competitiveness of the EU aquaculture sector)

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