Algal Blue Bioeconomy: biotechnological subsidies for the valorization of algal biomass from beach-cast and mariculture as source of functional and bioactive products.

Abstract

This project aims to complement the activities already initiated in the international collaboration project SeaFeed, which has the partnership of the Institute Fraunhofer IVV, Institute of Botany of São Paulo, Institute of Fisheries, Unesp and Cia das Algas, besides the participation of undergraduate students, post-graduate students and post-doc researchers. Furthermore, this proposal is part of my current CNPq Productivity Grant (2016-2019).Macroalgae are one of the most diverse groups among marine photosynthetic organisms and represent a strategic natural resource for social, sustainable and biotechnological development of the country. The appraisal of algae is based on their ecosystem goods and services, as well as on their role as a source of renewable resources and new products. Thus, strategies for the expansion of biomass production through laboratory and mariculture studies, as well as approaches for the valorization of this biomass, provide basic technical and scientific knowledge that will support diverse strategies for environmental monitoring, preservation and management, as well as such as the implementation of sustainable mariculture systems and the selection of potential species for biotechnological applications. Thus, the objective of this proposal is to provide biotechnology subsidies for the valorization of algal biomass through the efficient and sustainable exploitation of beach-cast and maricultured seaweeds as a source of functional and bioactive products, considering the following specific objectives: (a) to characterize the chemical composition and the bioactive potential of beach-cast and maricultured seaweeds, (b) to analyze the physiological responses of macroalgae to abiotic factors that may subsidize the understanding of their sensitivity and tolerance, as well as their biochemical alterations. (AU)