Haematococcus pluvialis

[img align=right alt=algaHaematococcus pluvialis]getfile.php?id=185[/img] Haematococcus pluvialis is a unique alga, which belongs to the family Chlamydomonadeae. Strains of the algae are found from African lakes to Arctic snowfields. Typical habitats for this alga are ponds and rainwater pools, which regularly dry out, for example rock pools in the Stockholm archipelago.

When subjected to favorable conditions, Haematococcus pluvialis grows with motile, green cells that reproduce primarily by cell division. Under unfavourable conditions, for example nutrient deficiency or drought, the cells lose their motility and form spores with thick cell walls. When transforming into this sporal phase, the alga accumulates fats in its cells as energy and carbon stores. When fats are synthesized, the cells produce astaxanthin. The astaxanthin prevents oxidation (rancification) of the fats in the cell and protects the DNA in the cell nucleus from UV- radiation. The encapsulated form of the alga is called an aplanospore and in this form, the alga can survive for long periods, even under harsh conditions.

Unique and highly controlled production

“BioReal (Sweden) AB was the first company in the world to commercially produce natural astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluviailis”.

BioReal (Sweden) AB exploits the ability of the alga to accumulate large amounts of astaxanthin by growing the alga and harvesting it. To increase the uptake of astaxanthin for humans or animals, the cell walls of the alga must be broken. The finished product is a dark red powder with a high concentration of astaxanthin, other carotenoids and essential fatty acids.

BioReal (Sweden) AB harvests astaxanthin from the microalga Haematococcus pluvialis. The algae are grown, harvested and dried following our HACCP plan. The final product is a deep red algal meal, or powder, containing a high concentration of astaxanthin and essential fatty acids.

BioReal (Sweden) AB’s production equipment is of the highest quality. The algae are grown in stainless steel photobioreactors under carefully controlled hygienic conditions, according to our HACCP plan. The purpose built equipment used in production has been developed inhouse for maximum effect, without compromising the high sanitary and hygienic standards demanded by our customers. New production methods are continuously being developed to improve both the quality and effectiveness of the product.
Unique technology has been developed within BioReal (Sweden) AB for commercial production of the alga Haematococcus pluvialis. Cultivation starts with the “seed”, taken from a pure culture in our laboratory. The culture is then enriched with essential nutrients that provide the alga with optimal conditions for rapid growth and proliferation (Green phase). When the culture has reached its optimum density in the green phase the production of astaxanthin is induced (red phase).
After harvest, the algae go through a process consisting of several stages before finally being transformed into a manageable deep red powder. This can then be subjected to further refinement and become a raw material ingredient in various products such as dietary supplements, foods and cosmetics.