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The Environment:

Environmental quality and the degree of its vulnerability directly affect human health, agricultural resources, climate, energy, the economy etc…, and therefore on quality of life and survival. Due to the enormous population growth, technological revolution, the rise of needs for different resources, the collapse of ecosystems across the globe is threatening. A modern society must find the solutions to the increasing destruction of biosphere.

Problems in contemporary society are consisted of many issues:
• How to feed a growing population of people?
• Where to find new sources of energy?
• How to reduce the concentration of CO2 in the biosphere, to preserve clean
water, to purify polluted soil?
• How to find effective antibiotics and other drugs?

One possible answers is the application of biotechnology. Biotechnology is the science that uses natural processes and industrial production in order to achieve certain results. Since 1992, Biotechnology is classified as natural and engineering scientific discipline.

During the biotechnology process, a wide variety of bacteria, viruses, cells and their parts, fungi (micro and macromycetes), cyanobacteria, etc… Biotechnology is widely used in many areas:
• Medicine: antibiotics, vaccines, hormones ...
• Agriculture: Pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, artificial seed ...
• Animal Health: antibiotics, vaccines, growth hormones ...
• Food and drink: milk and milk products, alcoholic beverages, sweeteners ...
• Biologically active molecules: vitamins, amino acids, enzymes ...

Applied Phycology

Applied Phycology is a biotechnology discipline which deals with the application of microalgae and cyanobacteria known as applied algology or applied phycology. Thanks to the great scientific discoveries in the field of microalgae and cyanobacteria, applied phycology provides great possibilities to influence the environment and quality of life.
Microalgae are very diverse group of photoautotroph microscopically small organisms. The basic characteristics of microalgae are the presence of chlorophyll and photosynthesis. There are different types of microalgae: single-cell, colonial, immobile and mobile.

Microalgae – Biodiversity

According to some authors, the number of microalgae species on Earth is between 22,000 and 26,000. Others say from 30,000 to 50,000, and there are even estimates that it ranges up to a few million. Microalgae represent more than 1/3 of the total biomass on Earth. Almost complete phytoplankton in fresh and marine waters are microalgae.

Microalgae belong exclusively to the plant kingdom, except blue-green algae in which the organization of nucleus material and structure has cell wall properties of gram-negative bacteria, and therefore are classified as bacteria (Cyanobacteria). Microalgae and cyanobacteria are characterized by a very rapid cell division and various metabolic pathways, which are caused by changes environment.
In contrast to heterotrophic organisms which usually require complex substrates in order to grow, photoautotrophic algae can grow in conditions with relatively simple composition of mineral salts in the presence of solar light.

Thanks to the aforementioned properties and microalgae and cyanobacteria represent extremely promising organisms for biotechnology. Due to the high biodiversity and rapid development of genetic the engineering, this group of microbes has became one of the most important sources for developing entirely new substances, and products.
The first work on mass cultivation of algae has been published about half century ago. At first, the product was biomass used as a protein feed for livestock and human consumption. Very soon, biomass was applied in chemical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry.

Spirulina

Sprulina is the type of cyanobacteria. Growing interest for the growth and biotechnological application of Spirulina appeared after the Belgian researchers in the last century discovered a massive growth of spirulina in African lakes and its importance in the diet of native people.

The Use of Microalgae and Cyanobacteria

Interest in mass reproduction of microalgae and cyanobacteria is widespread everywhere in the world. It is believed that microalgae and cyanobacterial can possibly be used:
• as food for humans and animals
• in biofertilization of the soil
• soil recultivation and bioremediation
• waste water purification
• production of commercially important products, especially biologically active compounds
• energy production
• reducing global CO2 concentrations, etc…

Analyzing the development of applied phycology can be concluded that in this area, there is inevitably a trinity of science, economics and policy. Policy needs and interest caused higher economic investment in such research. Today, there are huge investments in nutrition projects for the population of the Third World with microalgae and cyanobacteria, with no significant medical research, which at this time is a problem. The question is: Is it acceptable for people to die of hunger to be fed by unexplored products such as the biomass of microalgae and cyanobacteria?

Conclusion

Despite the best efforts to determine the final number of species of microalgae and cyanobacteria that inhabit our planet, this information is still unknown. It is certain that they are a great natural resource, that can be used in various ways (food, medicine, agriculture, remediation, energy ...). Therefore the need for further intensive research in this field is obvious.

[ExpertScie]

Cynobacteria have been identified as a rich source of biologically active compounds when compared to other microorganism. These active compounds are with anti-viral, antibacterial, anticancer, antifungal activities. The most important compound is Polydydroxyalkanoates, which is accumulated in cynobacterial strains and are used as a substitute for non-biodegradable petrochemical-based plastics. Recently it has been observed that sites which are polluted with oil are rich in cyanobacteria and thus indicates the capability of these bacteria to degrade oil component.
Cynobacteria are amongst the earliest known inhabitants of planet Earth. It has been observed that they originated 3.8 billion years back. They are also considered as originator oxygen on earth as they had helped lot in conversion of the Earth’s atmosphere from anaerobic to aerobic gradually. During this evolution, aerobic organisms came into existence and eventually underwent rapid changes. This is one of the reasons for current global bio-diversity.
Cynobacteria possess unique characteristics of performing oxygenic photosynthesis and oxygen labile nitrogen fixation. They are capable of harvesting solar energy and are considered potential sources for bio-fuel production. Cynobacteria are also responsible of massive growth in water which is known as blooms. These blooms are responsible for toxins which are harmful for fish. The unique ability of Cynobacteria to perform oxygenic photosynthesis and oxygen liable nitrogen fixing helped significantly in maintaining Carbon and Nitrogen bio-geochemical cycles. This is being done in deep oceans.
If we look at distribution of Cynobacteria, they are Omni-present. They use broad range of habitats for their growth and are across all latitudes and found in various ecosystems. They are also found in extreme conditions such as hyper saline localities, deserts, and cold environments and even in hot springs. They are also found in polluted water bodies, drains and garbage dumps. Such conditions are generally not suitable for most of the other organisms.
Cyanobacterial hydrogen is commercially available in various parts of world as it is considered as a very promising source of alternative energy. In addition to these applications, cyanobacteria are also used in wastewater treatment, as aquaculture food, as fertilizers, and also in production of secondary metabolites including Vitamins, Exopolysaccharides, Enzymes, and novel pharmaceuticals.

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In order that you receive healthy, viable cultures we try to avoid shipping when weather conditions are extremely cold or hot. Our guidelines are to postpone shipments when the maximum daytime temperatures are over 28 C and overnight temperatures are lower than minus 15 C in the Waterloo, ON area or in the destination area. We will make every effort to ensure that the cultures are well packed to avoid freezing or overheating. If your need is urgent and the weather is unfavourable, we will try to accommodate your preferred schedule but this is at your own risk.