The Suitability of Some Algae for Mass Cultivation for Food, with Special Reference toDunaliella bioculata

Abstract

Twenty-five strains of freshwater and saltwater algae have been investigated for their suitability for mass cultivation for food. Under laboratory conditions a strain of Dunaliella bioculata has been found to give yields comparable with those obtained from Chlorella . It is suggested that only when the growing algal cells are exposed in very thin layers will the yield not be limited by light penetration. The storage polysaccharide of D. bioculata contains a 1:4-glucosan resembling starch. All the essential amino-acids have been shown to be present with the possible exception of methionine or valine and tryptophane.