Unlocking High-Performance Microalgae for Sustainable Lutein Manufacturing
University
Brunel University London
Lead Organisation
FutureAlgae
Theme
Materials and chemicals
Funding
SPARK Award
Project partners: Brunel University London & FutureAlgae
Project focus area: Materials and chemicals
This project brought together Brunel University London and FutureAlgae, a UK biotechnology SME developing sustainable cultivation systems for high-value microalgal ingredients, with a particular focus on lutein. Lutein is a carotenoid widely used in nutritional products, and establishing viable domestic production offers potential supply chain and sustainability benefits.
The collaboration centred on structured strain evaluation, development and controlled cultivation studies to identify microalgal candidates suited to FutureAlgae’s commercial pathway. The project generated comparative biological performance data and established an evidence-based approach to strain selection aligned with industrial requirements. By applying an engineering biology approach the team at Brunel was able to generate new strains with improved performance; deployment of such strains has the potential to lower the cost of production and hence make the process economically viable.
Biomass produced during the project has supported subsequent downstream testing within FutureAlgae’s wider development programme.
Overall, the project supports the UK’s ambitions in engineering biology by demonstrating how targeted SME-academic collaboration can accelerate early-stage validation, strengthen domestic bio-manufacturing capability, and contribute to greener production methods and more resilient supply chains.
For more information
For more information on this project, contact us, or view all Engineering Biology SPARK Award winners.
This project funding is part of the Engineering Biology Innovation Network, led by Innovate UK Business Connect in collaboration with Innovate UK and UKRI’s Technology Mission Fund. The network’s goal is to progress innovations, create a commercially focused community and foster new consortia to advance innovations towards commercial applications.