What is algal oil DHA? How to ferment and enlarge? How big is the market?
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- Issue Time
- Mar 10,2025
Summary
The fermentation production of algal oil DHA is a complex process that combines biotechnology, metabolic regulation, and green manufacturing technology. Its core lies in using specific marine microalgae strains to obtain high-purity DHA products through industrial fermentation and efficient extraction processes.
The fermentation production of algal oil DHA is a complex process that combines biotechnology, metabolic regulation, and green manufacturing technology. Its core lies in using specific marine microalgae strains to obtain high-purity DHA products through industrial fermentation and efficient extraction processes.
1、 Strain screening and optimization
Mainly using algal species such as Schizochytrium sp., Ulkenia amoeboida, and Crypthecodinium cohnii, these microalgae have strong DHA synthesis ability and fast growth rate.
2、 Fermentation process flow
Step by step amplification cultivation: Seed cultivation: The strain completes preliminary amplification in a shake flask.
Step by step amplification: Transfer to small and medium-sized fermentation tanks in sequence, gradually adapting to industrial conditions.
Main fermentation tank cultivation: carried out in large stainless steel fermentation tanks (such as 112m ³), through precise temperature control pH、 By adjusting parameters such as dissolved oxygen, high-density fermentation can be achieved, with a biomass dry weight of over 160g/L.
Mixed/heterotrophic cultivation: Microalgae grow rapidly under mixed nutrient or heterotrophic conditions, shortening the fermentation cycle and improving production efficiency.
3、 Extraction and refining technology
Firstly, composite enzyme pretreatment (such as cellulase and protease) is used to destroy the cell wall, combined with centrifugation and filtration to separate the algal body.
Then, using solvent-free oil extraction technology, DHA crude oil was extracted through physical demulsification and low-temperature winterization processes. The acid value decreased from 3.0mgKOH/g to 1.0mgKOH/g, and the comprehensive yield increased from 69% to 95.21%.
Finally, through the refining process, impurities are removed from the crude oil through processes such as decolorization, deodorization, and degumming, resulting in a DHA content of over 45% of the total oil and no chemical solvent residue.
4、 Production advantages
Safety: Algae oil DHA is directly extracted from microalgae without being transmitted through the food chain, avoiding heavy metal pollution (such as mercury and lead) and EPA residue (DHA: EPA>10:1) that may exist in deep-sea fish oil, meeting the nutritional needs of infants and young children.
Sustainable: The fermentation process is fully enclosed and controllable, with low carbon emissions, in line with the concept of green production.
Stable quality: Adopting cGMP standard management, products are traceable, and DHA content and purity are highly standardized.
5、 Future market
Maternal and infant food, such as infant formula milk powder, nutritional supplements (such as gel candy), health food, including functional drinks, edible oil, dietary supplements, other fields such as medicine (such as cardiovascular disease adjuvant treatment), cosmetics, animal feed.
In 2023, the market size of algal oil DHA in China will reach 465 million yuan, with an average annual growth rate of 13.07%. It is expected to maintain a compound growth rate of 17% in the future and gradually replace fish oil DHA (currently with a market share of about 10%).
