Potential for utilization of algal biomass for components of the diet in CELSSTechniques which eliminate or reduce the undesirable cell components of algae and enhance the potential nutritional and organoleptic acceptability of algae products are studied. The cell walls, nucleic acids, and pigments and lipids of the green algae Scenedesmus obiliquus need to be removed. The procedures for determining the composition of proteins, pigments and lipids, and moisture and ash are described. Chemical, enzymatic, and physical methods of removing the cell wall to make the algae digestable are analyzed; a homogenization technique is utilized. The problems encountered if algae nucleic acids are ingested directly are discussed; the reduction of DNA and RNA by applying extracellular DNase and RNase to the nucleic acids is examined. The color and flavor of the algae are enhanced with the extraction of pigments and lipids from the algae protein concentration.
Document ID
19860038829
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Kamarei, A. R. (Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. Cambridge, MA, United States)
Nakhost, Z. (Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. Cambridge, MA, United States)