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Microalgae-based products for the food and feed sector: an outlook for Europe

Author

Listed:
  • Christien Enzing

    (Technopolis group)

  • Matthias Ploeg

    (Technopolis group)

  • Maria Barbosa

    (Food and Biobased Research - Wageningen UR)

  • Lolke Sijtsma

    (Food and Biobased Research - Wageningen UR)

Abstract

The European Union has adopted recently an ambitious strategy for developing the Bioeconomy in Europe. In this context, algae represent an emerging biological resource of great importance for its potential applications in different fields, including food and feed. Algae have been already used as food, feed and fertilizers for centuries, and nowadays approximately 200 species of algae and micro-algae are used worldwide in different sectors, like energy, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. This report provides an analysis of the technological and market developments in the field of microalgae-based food and feed products. The analysis is based on literature search, interviews to experts and Delphi survey to stakeholders. It provides important insights on four issues concerning microalgae-based products: production systems; current markets, products and future developments; R&D and prospects for micro-algae biotechnology and genetic engineering; safety and regulatory aspects of food and feed applications in Europe and the USA. Main results show that the global market for microalgae-based food and feed supplements/nutraceuticals is well developed and with a great potential for growth. Europe has the potential to become market leader in micro-algae based products for the food and feed markets in the next decade, in particular thanks to scientific and technological developments going on in this field. However, experts highlight two major factors limiting the European potential: the insufficient European domestic demand for microalgae products and the difficulties in achieving commercial authorization of algae-derived products in the EU markets due to the complexity of the regulation of novel foods in Europe.

Suggested Citation

  • Christien Enzing & Matthias Ploeg & Maria Barbosa & Lolke Sijtsma, 2014. "Microalgae-based products for the food and feed sector: an outlook for Europe," JRC Research Reports JRC85709, Joint Research Centre.
    • Handle: RePEc:ipt:iptwpa:jrc85709
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    File URL: https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC85709
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Madita Amoneit & Dagmara Weckowska & Myriam Preiss & Annette Biedermann & Leon Gellrich & Carsten Dreher & Monika Schreiner, 2024. "Public Perceptions of Alternative Protein Sources: Implications for Responsible Agrifood Transition Pathways," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-13, January.
    2. Nagarajan, Dillirani & Varjani, Sunita & Lee, Duu-Jong & Chang, Jo-Shu, 2021. "Sustainable aquaculture and animal feed from microalgae – Nutritive value and techno-functional components," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    3. Tiziana Bongiorno & Luciano Foglio & Lorenzo Proietti & Mauro Vasconi & Annalaura Lopez & Andrea Pizzera & Domenico Carminati & Aldo Tava & Antonio Jesús Vizcaíno & Francisco Javier Alarcón & Elena Fi, 2020. "Microalgae from Biorefinery as Potential Protein Source for Siberian Sturgeon ( A. baerii ) Aquafeed," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-18, October.
    4. Toshiyuki Takahashi, 2020. "Potential of an Automated- and Image-Based Cell Counter to Accelerate Microalgal Research and Applications," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-11, November.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Algae; Innovation; Biotechnology; Bioeconomy; Socio-Economic impacts; Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs); new technologies; competitiveness;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D
    • Q16 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - R&D; Agricultural Technology; Biofuels; Agricultural Extension Services
    • Q18 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Policy; Food Policy; Animal Welfare Policy
    • Q22 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Fishery

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