Boosting Algae Production: Montana-Mexico Axis

Greenstar has announced a new micro-nutrient solution that it claims can boost algae growth rates over 30%.

Algae scientists have long searched for a micronutrient formula to increase the growth rate of algae biomass. Now, Biotech Research, Inc., a consortium partner of Green Star, has confirmed a daily growth rate increase of 34% using the “Montana Micronutrient Booster (MMB)” formula. This growth rate booster can increase the total biomass quantity in a harvest algae growth cycle by well over 100%. The tests where conducted at Biotech Research’s lab facility at the UABC University in Ensenada, Mexico (see press release dated Nov. 20, 2007).

Joseph LaStella, president of Green Star Products, stated, “This breakthrough formula is too important to the algae processing industry for any single company to hold for their personal use. Microalgae production holds real answers to the many serious problems facing the world today, including global fuel shortages, global warming and food supply shortages.” __Source__via_GCC

Algae growth rate is not the same thing as oil production. But assuming that the faster growing algae produce the same amount of oil per algal cell, a 30% production boost could make a near-profitable venture into a profitable one.

Algal biodiesel remains in the development stage, with production costs at least a factor of 5 too high for profitability in North America. With competition from vast new oil palm plantations in Africa and Southeast Asia, algae will soon be pressed to begin delivering on its many promises.