A global technology search team from the Philippines visited Taiwan recently in search for innovations/advances in production and other potential application of microalgae suited under Philippine condition.
Dr. Augusto E. Serrano, Jr., Program Leader of the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD) National Aquafeeds S&T Program from the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences-University of the Philippines Visayas (CFOS-UPV), and Engr. Eduardo V. Manalili, Industry Strategic S&T Program (ISP) Manager for Aquafeeds of the Inland Aquatic Resources Research Division- PCAARRD (IARRD-PCAARRD) made up the team. They visited the National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU), National Dong Hwa University (NDHU), and National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (NPUST).
Providing the needed information for the team were Prof. Ching-Nen Nathan Chen of the Laboratory of Algal Molecular Biology of NSYSU; Dr. Cheng-Hao Tang and Dr. Kwee Siong Tew of the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium (NMMBA) of NDHU; and Prof. Philip Tao-Ching Cheng of the Molecular Fish Immunology and Genetics Laboratory, and Dr. Jik-Chang Leong of the International College, both from NPUST.
Of interest during the discussion with the said scientists were the upscaling and collapsing of pure cultures of algae, species control in induced blooms of natural phytoplankton, predation and contamination of algal cultures, enrichment of large-scale cultures, and harvesting and preserving of microalgae.
Other information, as sought by the team, included the technology advances on the nutritive value of cultured microalgae as feeds for aquaculture and the use of large-scale indoor facilities for microalgae culture and other infrastructure requirements for its commercialization.
The visit provided the team with knowledge on the latest innovations and advanced application of microalgae, its processing, and extraction techniques for bioactive and nutritive compounds, and the latest improved culture facilities for commercial applications in the Philippines.
Acquired information will be used for piloting and commercialization of the microalgae program under the Aquafeeds ISP.
