Gametophyte Bioreactor Trials Complete

Victoria, British Columbia – Industrial Plankton is pleased to announce completion of a contract to test their Seaweed Gametophyte Bioreactors with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC). The contract was awarded through the Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC) program. This innovative product is designed to help researchers and seaweed farmers increase their yield and productivity, and stabilize the reliability of seaweed seed production.

Seaweed Gametophyte Bioreactors (SBRs) are a state-of-the-art product to make the production of seaweed gametophytes/sporophytes easy and reliable. The product offers independently controlled temperature enclosures, closed-loop pH control with automated CO₂ dosing, and an internal motorized blade for biosecure fragmentation.

 

Another important feature is real-time data logging and graphing. The user-friendly interface and visualization allow researchers and industry professionals to gain valuable insights and optimize their culture in the SBRs.

Through the Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC) program, researchers at NRC’s Marine Research Station in Ketch Harbour, NS, were able to operate and test the SBRs over a nine-month period and provide feedback on the full operation of the system and its ease of use, from gametophyte cultivation to sporophyte seedling production.

“We are excited to launch our Seaweed Gametophyte Bioreactors, and make seed supply reliable for the seaweed industry.  This is similar to what we have done for the shellfish industry, where our microalgae bioreactors are supporting over half the shellfish hatcheries in North America.  With this new SBR technology, we will support the seaweed industry in the same way” said Industrial Plankton CEO, Robert Roulston.

“Our company has been developing and producing microalgae bioreactors since 2010. We used our expertise in biosecurity and automation and applied it to macroalgae. Our new Seaweed Gametophyte Bioreactors have been in development for 3 years, and represent a critical tool to support sustainable growth of the seaweed industry.

For more information about these Seaweed Gametophyte Bioreactors and how they can benefit seaweed researchers and industry, please visit Industrial Plankton website or contact us at +1-250-889-5075.