The threat of starvation is is the result of traditional food crops being increasingly used for energy production. But algae could provide an alternative foodstuff and they only need sunlight to grow and thrive in salty water on barren fields. A major challenge in the sustainable production of algae has been the ability to exactly reproduce sunlight in the laboratory.

Scientists estimate that there are more than 50,000 species of algae and cyanobacteria. Of these, 5000 are known. But, so far, only ten have been exploited with commercial success. Yet, since algae are so undemanding and thrive even in salt water basins set up on barren fields, they could help solve the problems posed by the utilization of food crops for energy production.

“Algae grow much faster than soy beans or corn. They require neither fertile ground nor pesticides and have a ten-fold higher yield per hectare and year,” said

Professor Thomas Brück, director of the Department of Industrial Biocatalysis at TU München.

Upon closer investigation of specific types of algae, the scientists discovered a variety of promising products. Many algae produce intermediate chemicals and

synthesize protein mass and fats. While protein mass could be used as livestock feed, the fats could be converted into fuels.

But even within a single species, the ability to produce specific products varies widely. “In our investigations we keep seeing huge differences in productivity,” said

Thomas Brück. “So, we have to identify not only the right species, but must also cultivate the candidates with the highest productivity.”

In the context of their work, the researchers, in collaboration with the Berlin based company FUTURELED GmbH, have developed a combination of light and climate

simulation to optimize algae cultivation. The system uses spectrum-tuned LEDs to simulate the natural spectrum of sunlight.

“Nobody can really predict whether algae from the tropics will be as productive under German light conditions as in their native environment,” said Thomas Brück.