Decoding the genome of Chlorella microalgae, a promising genus for biofuel production

Posted On: September 26, 2010

The analysis of the complete genome of Chlorella microalgae, a promising genus for biofuel production, has been completed by the Laboratoire Information Génomique et Structurale of CNRS, which is currently heading an international collaboration involving American and Japanese laboratories.

The detailed elucidation of the Chlorella genome, also widely used as a food supplement, will make it possible to rationalize its industrial use. This analysis has also brought to light unexpected findings at the fundamental level: it suggests that Chlorella could have a sexual cycle (which had gone unnoticed so far) and that a virus probably gave it the capacity to synthesize chitin-rich cell walls, a unique property in algae. This work is published online on The Plant Cell journal’s website.

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From Issue 11 • Categories: Tags: alternative energy, Aquapreneur, biofuel, biomaterials, bioprocessing, chitin, chlorella, marine ingredient, marine ingredients, microalgae, seaweed • No Comments

BioCentric Energy Holdings announced multi-million dollar contract with Biocen Natural Products Development

Posted On: August 17, 2010

A multi-million dollar contract was signed between Daniel Kennedy, CEO and President of Biocen Natural Development Group (Pink Sheets:BNPD), a Nevada health drink company, and BEHL President, Monique Berry. The Nevada company, BNPD, is a public company consisting of a board of directors, a sales and marketing team and distribution outlets.

BNPD, formerly Bionic Products, Inc., is currently undergoing a formal name change to Biocen Natural Products Development, Inc. All corporate information is currently being updated and the official name change will be announced when approval has been received from the regulatory authorities.

The details of the contract between BNPD and BEHL are as followed, states Ms. Berry, “The first part of the contract is a $600,000 licensing and royalty agreement for representation of BEHL and BEHL clients for specific algaes produced. BNPD has agreed to pay BioCentric Energy in 8 equal installments commencing on September 14, 2010. As the market demand fluctuates for the end products, the licensing fee may be amended annually.”

In addition to the licensing agreement, both companies have agreed upon and executed a sole and exclusive sales and marketing contract in which BNPD will purchase from BioCentric Energy and its clients 3 specific algae strains to be used in BNPD’s health and nutracuetical products.

The first algae strain, Haemaotoccocus, has a current market value of $341 per kilogram. Conservatively, BEHL will produce 15,600 pounds of Haemaotoccocus over the next 12 months for BNPD. The next strain grown by BEHL and/or clients sold to BNPD will be the very popular, robust and fast growing Chlorella.

The current market value for Chlorella is $44 per kilogram. BioCentric Energy will deliver to BNPD, 12,000 pounds of Chlorella over the next 12 months. Finally, the highly popular algae known for its antioxidant and anticancer properties, Spirulina, will also be produced and delivered to BNPD. The current market value for Spirulina is $20 per kilogram. BioCentric Energy plans to produce and deliver approximately 22,500 pounds of Spirulina over the next 12 months.

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From Issue 11 • Categories: Tags: algae, Aquapreneur, astaxanthin, bioprocessing, chlorella, cosmeceuticals, functional food, functional ingredients, marine ingredient, marine ingredients, seaweed, spirulina • No Comments