Phaeodactylum tricornutum – Microalgae Powder (Diatom)

Technical Specifications

*All values are indicative and may vary between batches. Please request a current Certificate of Analysis for exact specifications.

Production / Cultivation Notes

Phaeodactylum tricornutum is a planktonic marine diatom found in coastal and open ocean waters worldwide. It grows best in temperate to cold water and thrives in saline environments including sea bays and open oceans. The species is free-floating and not attached to solid substrates.

The cells are surrounded by a silicic cell wall composed of silicon dioxide and are characterised by a distinctive triangular shape. Phaeodactylum tricornutum performs photosynthesis using chlorophyll alongside pigments such as fucoxanthin and diatoxanthin, which contribute to its brown coloration [3, 5, 6, 7].

Due to its well-characterised genome and rapid reproduction rate, Phaeodactylum tricornutum is also used as a model organism in biotechnological research [3].

Ordering & Contact

We supply Phaeodactylum tricornutum powder in bulk for B2B buyers across the food supplement, aquaculture feed, cosmetics, and biotechnology sectors. Delivery times are available on request. Contact us to request a quote, discuss volume requirements, or obtain a product specification sheet.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

What is Phaeodactylum tricornutum?

Phaeodactylum tricornutum is a unicellular marine diatom found in oceans worldwide. It is one of the most studied diatom species due to its well-characterised genome and its rich content of omega-3 fatty acids, carotenoids, and antioxidants [3].

What is Phaeodactylum tricornutum used for?

It is used as a plant-based source of omega-3 fatty acids in food supplements and aquaculture feed, as an active ingredient in cosmetic formulations, and as a research organism in biotechnology and biofuel development [3, 4, 9].

What compounds does Phaeodactylum tricornutum contain?

Phaeodactylum tricornutum contains EPA, DHA, and DPA omega-3 fatty acids, as well as the carotenoids fucoxanthin, zeaxanthin, diatoxanthin, and diadinoxanthin. It also contains unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants [3, 5, 6, 7, 8].

What industries use Phaeodactylum tricornutum?

It is used across the food supplement, aquaculture, cosmetics, and biotechnology industries, as well as in biofuel and environmental research [3, 4, 9].

Is Phaeodactylum tricornutum suitable as a fish oil alternative?

Yes. Due to its content of EPA, DHA, and DPA, Phaeodactylum tricornutum is considered a plant-based alternative to conventional fish oil for use in food supplements and aquaculture feed [3].

How is Phaeodactylum tricornutum used in cosmetics?

Phaeodactylum tricornutum is used in skincare formulations as a humectant, as an anti-aging active ingredient, and for its ability to rebalance the microbiome of sensitive skin and support control of inflammatory processes [9]. Its fucoxanthin content has documented antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects [8, 9].

What makes Phaeodactylum tricornutum suitable for biofuel production?

Under certain conditions, Phaeodactylum tricornutum produces significant quantities of lipids and triglycerides, which can serve as raw materials for biodiesel production [4].

What does Phaeodactylum tricornutum look like?

The cells are triangular in shape, brown in colour, and typically between 5 and 10 microns in length. The brown colouration results from the presence of pigments including fucoxanthin and diatoxanthin. The cells are surrounded by a silicic cell wall composed of silicon dioxide [3, 5, 6, 7].

Sources

1. Phaeodactylum tricornutum – AlgaeBase. Molinari Novoa EA in Guiry MD & Guiry GM. National University of Ireland, Galway. https://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=39314
2. Phaeodactylum – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phaeodactylum
3. Butler T, Kapoore RV, Vaidyanathan S. Phaeodactylum tricornutum: A Diatom Cell Factory. Trends Biotechnol. 2020;38(6):606–622. PMID: 31980300. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31980300/
4. Cui Y, Thomas-Hall SR, Schenk PM. Phaeodactylum tricornutum microalgae as a rich source of omega-3 oil: Progress in lipid induction techniques towards industry adoption. Food Chem. 2019;297:124937. PMID: 31253257. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31253257/
5. Pang Y et al. A Review of Fucoxanthin Biomanufacturing from Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng. 2024;47(12):1951–1972. PMID: 38884655. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38884655/
6. Kuczynska P, Jemiola-Rzeminska M. Isolation and purification of all-trans diadinoxanthin and all-trans diatoxanthin from diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. J Appl Phycol. 2017;29(1):79–87. PMID: 28344388. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28344388/
7. Græsholt C et al. Zeaxanthin epoxidase 3 Knockout Mutants of the Model Diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum Enable Commercial Production of the Bioactive Carotenoid Diatoxanthin. Mar Drugs. 2024;22(4):185. PMID: 38667802. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38667802/
8. Smeriglio A et al. Xanthophyll-Rich Extract of Phaeodactylum tricornutum Bohlin as New Photoprotective Cosmeceutical Agent: Safety and Efficacy Assessment on In Vitro Reconstructed Human Epidermis Model. Molecules. 2023;28(10):4190. PMID: 37241930. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37241930/
9. Kang SY et al. Antiaging Potential of Fucoxanthin Concentrate Derived from Phaeodactylum tricornutum. J Cosmet Sci. 2020;71(2):53–64. PMID: 32271708. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32271708/