Spirulina Harvesting Techniques & Equipment

The blue-green algae, Spirulina is now gaining more attention due to its high nutritional value and global food insecurity. This cultivation has recently grown into a novel industry, shifting our perspective concerning the sustainable food industry. There is an increase in demand for advanced spirulina harvesting techniques and efficient processing technology.

Harvesting spirulina is a delicate and time-sensitive process to ensure that it remains nutrient-rich and intact. The major objective is to effectively remove the spirulina from the water while preserving its quality.

Designing an Ideal Cultivation System

An effective grasp of the cultivation system is required to enhance the total yield. It also entails improving other parameters such as light, nutrient levels, and other environmental factors. Three primary approaches have emerged: raceway pond optimization, photobioreactor innovations, and hybrid system approaches.

Raceway Pond Optimization

Raceway ponds are a widely adopted method for spirulina cultivation. These shallow, oval-shaped ponds allow efficient light penetration and circulation of the spirulina culture. To increase the productivity of a raceway pond, the parameters that can be varied include the depth, the speed of the paddle wheel, and the nutrients that are added. It has been demonstrated that one factor in which metabolism of the Arthrospira used for the production of spirulina is directly dependent on light energy availability, the productivity of a raceway pond system is likely to be volumetric at a high rate by optimizing the two parameters. In this case, the nutrients, as well as light, are sure to be utilized fully.

Photobioreactor Innovations

Photobioreactors are ideal for the cultivation of fresh spirulina because they allow the regulation of numerous factors including light, intensity,  temperature, and pH. Optimizing light use and reducing water consumption are some of the new goals achieved. For instance, with the use of optic fibers or thin-plate technology, it is possible to optimize volumetric productivity by providing uniform light penetration within the culture.

Hybrid System Approaches

Combining the advantages of raceway ponds and photobioreactors, hybrid systems offer a balanced approach in producing fresh spirulina. These systems often incorporate elements like closed photobioreactors for initial inoculation and growth, followed by transfer to open raceway ponds for large-scale production. This approach allows precise control during the initial stages while leveraging the cost-effectiveness of raceway ponds for mass cultivation.

Hybrid systems can also integrate innovative technologies, such as the curtain wall photobioreactor concept, which aims to create sustainable cities by integrating microalgae cultivation into building facades.

Creating a perfect system that meets specific needs and environmental factors can help producers maximize their output, decrease water usage, and improve overall efficiency.

Advanced Harvesting Technologies

Advanced harvesting technologies are cutting-edge methods and equipment that effectively harvest the thick green algae grow from fields with minimal loss, more production, and less of an adverse effect on the environment. These technologies are developing quickly in order to meet the issues of labour shortages, the requirement for sustainability in agriculture, and the rising demand for food. Some of the methods includes : membrane filtration techniques, flocculation methods, dissolved air flotation, centrifugation, and drum filtration. They have been further refined by Greenbubble and put on specially designed drum filtration-based systems.

Preserving Quality During Processing

To maintain the potential of this thick green algae grow as a superfood, nutritional value, and quality must be preserved during processing. Three key strategies have emerged:  spray drying, vacuum drying, and RWD drying.

Gentle Drying Technologies

Commonly, high-temperature levels involving spray drying methods (95 to 180°C) are disadvantageous because they induce major nutrient losses. Results of these studies show decreases of over 10% for β-carotene contents and more than 25% for total carotenoids of spirulina or other microalgae powder. To mitigate these losses, gentle drying technologies like RWD and vacuum drying have been developed.

Spirulina, a powerhouse of nutraceutical components, requires careful handling during the drying process, particularly when it comes to temperature-sensitive elements such as phycocyanin – a crucial ingredient. Conventional drying methods, like spray dryers, drum dryers, oven dryers, and even sun drying, pose challenges related to high temperatures, extended drying times, and the degradation of valuable spirulina components.

Experience the Future of RWD Spirulina Drying with Greenbubble – where innovation meets efficiency, ensuring your spirulina retains its nutritional excellence while maximizing your operational convenience. Choose our cutting-edge Spirulina Drying System for unparalleled results in preserving the quality of your spirulina harvest.

Our Spirulina Vacuum Drying system is where high-quality drying meets efficiency. Our specialized spirulina vacuum dryer is designed to deliver quick and efficient drying, even at low temperatures, ensuring the preservation of Spirulina’s essential properties. 

Choose our Spirulina Vacuum Dryer Service to experience precision drying, efficiency, and quality preservation. Explore how our specialized vacuum dryer can optimize your Spirulina production, providing you with consistent and top-notch harvests.

Nutrient Retention Strategies

In addition to drying and pressing methods, various tactics can be used to improve the preservation of nutrients:

1. Controlled atmosphere packaging: It has been found that these preserved products can be quite easily oxidized. Using modified atmospheres with low oxygen levels when the product is being packaged, helps to lower oxidation of the product and thus, extends its shelf life.
2. Light protection: Concerning light-sensitive thick green algae grow, placing them in containers that are opaque or which are dark can help prevent the light-sensitive products from damage.
3. Low-temperature storage: Chemical reactions and metabolic processes resulting in nutrient loss during storage may be inhibited by refrigeration or freezing.

Applying such gentle processing methods and nutrient retention strategies,  spirulina producers ensure that the final product is of high nutritional value and high-quality.

Testing and Quality Assurance

Strict quality assurance procedures are carried out to detect impurities and eliminate them. The prepared sample is then standardized, and all the parameters, quality, and quantitative are met. Modern labs with advanced technology can find even the smallest faults or impurities.

Expert laboratory technicians, well-versed in current quality control practices, carefully examine the products for outstanding quality. Continuous monitoring  is undertaken to verify compliance with international requirements and identify opportunities for improvement.

This sector has gone through tremendous transformation with advanced techniques and equipment changing the face of the industry. Farmers nowadays have the ability to improve efficiency and provide high-quality end products as a result of improved farming practices and advanced harvesting technologies. These advances not only improve production but also enhance the commercial sustainability as a renewable food resource.

Harvesting spirulina is a complex procedure that calls for close attention to detail and cautious control of temperature, light, and water quality. Technological developments in harvesting will probably make the procedure more scalable, sustainable, and efficient as the demand for this superfood keeps growing. Harvesting spirulina guarantees that this amazing algae will continue to be available for your dietary needs, whether you choose to use it as a supplement, smoothie ingredient, or even in your favourite health food recipes.

However, with this nutrient-dense superfood being more popular, it must be stated that the focus should be on the quality and safety of the final product during processing. By implementing these new techniques, spirulina growers are able to satisfy consumer demands while maintaining top quality in terms of purity and nutritional benefits. This opens up opportunities to have a more significant impact on tackling worldwide food security issues and supporting global health and well-being.