| Title of Process/ Know-how/ Product/Design/Equipment

Large–scale optimized cultivation technology for lutein producing marine microalgae.

IPR Status & Details:

Under Process

Application/Uses/Problem being addressed

Lutein is a high-value carotenoid targeted for promoting eye health, in terms of prevention and amelioration of cataract and age-related macular degenerative disease / age-related blindness.

Salient Technical Features including Competing Features/ Impact

  • Maximum biomass productivity of 25–28 g/m2/d (2.8–3.1 tons/ha) was achieved using open pond conditions in conducive seasons (TRL 4).
  • Lutein yield (YP/X) of 5 g per kg biomass was achieved under optimized conditions and validated in outdoor open pond cultivation studies (TRL 4).
  • Seasonal variation on biomass productivity and lutein yield data available for outdoor cultivation of marine microalgae Dunaliella sp in rectangular ponds using seawater-based optimized medium.

    • TRL Level & Scale of Development:- TRL 4 TRL Reference

    Business scope & opportunity (in terms of scale, cost, market etc.)

    • The global carotenoids market attained about USD 1.44 billion in 2022. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.1% in the forecast period of 2023-2032.
    • The global lutein market size is USD 343 million in 2023 and grow at a CAGR of 6.29% to reach USD 465 million by 2028.
    • The Indian market size for carotenoids is estimated to reach 237 million USD by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 4.8% from 2023 to 2032. Market share of lutein is 15% of Indian carotenoid market.

    Environmental Considerations

    This process does not generate any harmful effluent

    Status of Licensing:

    Not yet licensed

    Status of Commercialization:

    Not yet commercialized

    Major Raw Materials Needed

    Nutrients (media), Seawater and Microalgae inoculum

    Major Plant Equipment and Machinery Required

    Raceway/ rectangular type ponds with paddlewheel, and Tubular-bowl centrifuge.

    Techno-Economics

    The preliminary energy and cost analysis indicated that cultivation and processing of 1 kg marine microalgal biomass for lutein production requires 40 kwh of energy with operational cost of 2600 INR /30 USD.

    Technology Package

  • Know-how for marine microalgae cultivation using seawater-based optimized nutrient medium.
  • Demonstration of marine microalgae cultivation in 1 m3 or 4 m3 raceway pond.
  • License fee and other financial details would be provided on request.

    • | Technology Photographs

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