El potencial de la biomasa de microalgas como recurso renovable

El potencial de la biomasa de microalgas como recurso renovable
Las microalgas (fitoplancton), a diferencia de las macroalgas (algas), son organismos unicelulares microscópicos que viven en ecosistemas de agua dulce o marinos. Mediante su crecimiento, producen biomasa, que es materia orgánica que se utiliza para generar energía. En comparación con las plantas terrestres y los animales, las microalgas tienen la mayor productividad neta de biomasa, lo que las convierte en un recurso renovable de rápida generación.

El cultivo de microalgas es un proceso sencillo, ya que los organismos sólo necesitan luz solar, nutrientes, dióxido de carbono y agua para crecer. Este proceso se denomina algacultura, y los microorganismos crecen rápidamente en condiciones favorables.

Relacionado: El mayor tanque de crecimiento de algas del mundo promueve la captura de carbono

Hay más de 25.000 especies de microalgas y su falta de raíces, tallos y hojas les permite hacer la fotosíntesis y secuestrar el carbono con más eficacia que las plantas terrestres. Además, el fitoplancton es muy resistente y no necesita tierra ni agua limpia para crecer. De hecho, pueden prosperar incluso en agua salada y en aguas residuales.

Debido a la increíble versatilidad de las microalgas, pueden utilizarse para apoyar otros sistemas de cultivo sostenibles, como la acuicultura, secuestrar carbono en la atmósfera y como biocombustible.

Tower with polluting smoke

Sheep eating at a trough

Biomasa de microalgas para la alimentación de la acuicultura

La acuicultura es el proceso de cría de criaturas acuáticas como peces, crustáceos y plantas acuáticas en un entorno controlado. El proceso de cultivo es sostenible, ya que satisface la demanda del consumo mundial sin ejercer presión sobre las poblaciones silvestres.

Una de las formas de utilizar el fitoplancton en la acuicultura es como alternativa a la harina de pescado. Mediante la fotosíntesis, las microalgas producen nutrientes como proteínas, vitaminas, minerales y carbohidratos. Son beneficiosos para las especies marinas y de agua dulce por sus propiedades antioxidantes e inmunoestimulantes que favorecen la salud. Al mezclar varias especies de microalgas, el alimento puede ser más rico en nutrientes y compuestos que promueven el crecimiento.

Ventajas de la alimentación con fitoplancton

Debido a su alto contenido en proteínas, las algas pueden utilizarse como complemento de los piensos a base de carne y soja. El cultivo de la soja es cada vez más importante, sobre todo en Sudamérica. Además, el transporte de la soja contribuye en gran medida a las emisiones de carbono. Además, el exceso de soja en las zonas agrícolas provoca altas concentraciones de nitratos, que pueden contaminar los ecosistemas costeros y las aguas subterráneas. A diferencia de los piensos a base de soja, la producción de microalgas requiere poco espacio, tiene poco mantenimiento y es más respetuosa con el medio ambiente.

Desafíos de la harina de pescado a base de microalgas

Sin embargo, el uso de harina de pescado a base de fitoplancton tiene sus inconvenientes. Algunos tipos de microalgas tienen paredes celulares gruesas y proteínas difíciles de digerir por los peces. Además, el fitoplancton es susceptible de absorber metales pesados durante el cultivo. Estos incluyen metales como el arsénico, el plomo y el mercurio, entre otros. Si se utilizan microalgas con altas concentraciones de metales pesados para la harina de pescado, estos compuestos pueden ascender por la cadena alimentaria y causar graves problemas de salud. Actualmente, la producción de pellets de microalgas es también un proceso difícil. Los procesos utilizados para cosechar y secar la biomasa llevan mucho tiempo, son caros y requieren importantes cantidades de energía.

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