Isochrysis galbana – Microalgae Powder

Production and Cultivation

Isochrysis galbana is cultivated in closed systems. Mixotrophic cultivation has been identified as most suitable, followed by phototrophic cultivation. Heterotrophic-only cultivation has been found to inhibit biomass growth and yield. The species is adaptable to a wide range of temperatures and salinity levels, allowing cultivation in different media. A significant body of literature exists on optimizing growth medium composition for maximum biomass yield.

Ordering & Contact

ALGANEX supplies Isochrysis galbana powder for B2B buyers in aquaculture, cosmetics, and food supplement industries. Contact us for bulk pricing, sample requests, and supply chain information. Our team supports product developers and purchasing managers with tailored sourcing solutions.

FAQ

What is Isochrysis galbana?

Isochrysis galbana, now reclassified as Tisochrysis lutea, is a unicellular marine microalgae belonging to the family Isochrysidaceae. Both names are used synonymously in industry, and the species plays an important role in the aquatic food chain.

What is Isochrysis galbana used for?

It is primarily used in aquaculture as feed for fish, shrimp, and shellfish. It is also used in cosmetic formulations, hair care preparations, and food supplements where regional regulations permit [4, 7].

What compounds does Isochrysis galbana contain?

The microalgae contains polyunsaturated fatty acids including DHA and ALA, as well as pigments such as beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, fucoxanthin, and canthaxanthin [5, 6, 8].

What is the difference between Isochrysis galbana and Tisochrysis lutea?

Isochrysis galbana and Tisochrysis lutea are two distinct species belonging to different genera. Tisochrysis lutea was originally thought to be a strain of Isochrysis galbana due to morphological similarities, but genetic analysis confirmed it is a separate species and it was reclassified into its own genus [11].

How is Isochrysis galbana cultivated?

It is cultivated in closed systems using mixotrophic or phototrophic methods. The species tolerates a wide range of temperatures and salinity levels, making it adaptable to various cultivation media.

What are the cosmetic applications of Isochrysis galbana?

In cosmetics, it is used in skin care and hair care products. Extract preparations have been studied for their potential to prevent hair thinning and loss, and the microalgae may act as a natural tanning agent that stimulates melanin production [7, 9].

In what forms is Isochrysis galbana available?

Isochrysis galbana is commercially available as a powder, paste, or liquid live culture. Powder is the most common industrial form.

Where does Isochrysis galbana occur naturally?

The species occurs worldwide and has been found in every ocean and around every continent, with the exception of isolated Antarctic regions.

Sources

1. Isochrysis galbana – M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 23 September 2014. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. https://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=51696
2. Isochrysis galbana – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isochrysis_galbana
3. Matos J, Cardoso C, Gomes A, Campos AM, Falé P, Afonso C, Bandarra NM. Bioprospection of Isochrysis galbana and its potential as a nutraceutical. Food Funct. 2019 Nov 1;10(11):7333-7342. doi: 10.1039/c9fo01364d. PMID: 31646314. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31646314/
4. de Los Reyes C, Ortega MJ, Rodríguez-Luna A, Talero E, Motilva V, Zubía E. Molecular Characterization and Anti-inflammatory Activity of Galactosylglycerides and Galactosylceramides from the Microalga Isochrysis galbana. J Agric Food Chem. 2016 Nov 23;64(46):8783-8794. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.6b03931. PMID: 27786470. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27786470/
5. Señoráns M, Castejón N, Señoráns FJ. Advanced Extraction of Lipids with DHA from Isochrysis galbana with Enzymatic Pre-Treatment Combined with Pressurized Liquids and Ultrasound Assisted Extractions. Molecules. 2020 Jul 21;25(14):3310. doi: 10.3390/molecules25143310. PMID: 32708275. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32708275/
6. Manochkumar J, Jonnalagadda A, Cherukuri AK, Vannier B, Janjaroen D, Chandrasekaran R, Ramamoorthy S. Machine learning-based prediction models unleash the enhanced production of fucoxanthin in Isochrysis galbana. Front Plant Sci. 2024 Oct 16;15:1461610. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1461610. PMID: 39479538. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39479538/
7. Fatouma, Mohamed & Abdoul-latif, Fatouma & Oumaskour, Khadija & Boujaber, Nabila & Ainane, Ayoub & Mohamed, Jalludin & Tarik, Ainane. (2021). Formulations of a cosmetic product for hair care based on extract of the microalga Isochrysis galbana: in vivo and in vitro activities. 3. 15-19. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/349238452
8. Widowati, Ita & Zainuri, Muhammad & Kusumaningrum, Hermin & Susilowati, Ragil & Hardivillier, Yann & Leignel, Vincent & Bourgougnon, Nathalie & Mouget, Jean-Luc. (2017). Antioxidant activity of three microalgae Dunaliella salina, Tetraselmis chuii and Isochrysis galbana clone Tahiti. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science. 55. 012067. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/314167768
9. Paredes E, Perez S, Rodil R, Quintana JB, Beiras R. Ecotoxicological evaluation of four UV filters using marine organisms from different trophic levels. Chemosphere. 2014 Jun;104:44-50. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2013.10.053. PMID: 24359924. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24359924/
10. Bruce DL, Duff DC, Antia NJ. The identification of two antibacterial products of the marine planktonic alga Isochrysis galbana. J Gen Microbiol. 1967 Aug;48(2):293-8. doi: 10.1099/00221287-48-2-293. PMID: 6038898. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6038898/
11. Bendif EM, Probert I, Schroeder DC, de Vargas C. On the description of Tisochrysis lutea gen. nov. sp. nov. and Isochrysis nuda sp. nov. in the Isochrysidales, and the transfer of Dicrateria to the Prymnesiales. J Appl Phycol. 2013. DOI: 10.1007/s10811-013-0037-0