Upscaling microalgal glycogen production for natural cosmetics
The cosmetic industry is increasingly turning to eco-friendly ingredients made from renewable materials to meet consumer demand for natural and sustainable products. One promising cosmetic ingredient is glycogen, a glucose polymer produced by various microorganisms. Glycogen is biocompatible, retains moisture well, and is derived from natural sources, making it ideal for eco-friendly cosmetics. However, traditional methods for producing microbial glycogen have been economically unfeasible due to low productivity. Researchers at the University of Groningen have made a breakthrough by discovering that extremophilic Galdieria microalgae can continuously produce substantial amounts of glycogen under specific conditions. Galdieria microalgae thrive in extreme environments, growing aerobically in the dark under very acidic conditions.
The Biotech Booster project aims to scale up the cultivation of Galdieria microalgae using local agricultural resources and develop efficient methods for extracting and purifying glycogen. The goal is to commercialize Galdieria glycogen for use in cosmetics and, eventually, nutritional products, meeting the growing demand for natural and sustainable ingredients. The biotech start-up modAlgae, cofounded by researchers from the University of Groningen, is leading the commercialisation efforts leveraging innovative cultivation techniques and local resources.
