Abstract: Methods of preparing a liquid Chlorella based composition comprising pasteurization and stabilization of a low concentration of mixotrophic or non-mixotrophic Chlorella whole cells are disclosed. The liquid composition can be used to enhance the emergence and growth of plants in low concentration and low frequency soil, foliar, seed soak, capillary action, and hydroponic applications.

Abstract: Bioreactor systems for culturing mixotrophic microorganisms in open cultures on a large scale are disclosed herein. Embodiments of the system comprise organic carbon delivery systems and submersible thrusters suspended on adjustable support structures.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for producing a poultry egg that is rich in odd-chain fatty acid (OCFA), particularly pentadecanoic acid (C15:0) and heptadecanoic (C17:0) acid. Poultry feed can be mixed with a compound (e.g. biomass or oil extract) that is produced from microalgae cultured to comprise elevated levels of OCFA. The OCFA-enriched poultry feed comprises an elevated level of OCFA and it can be fed to poultry that are laying eggs. As the OCFA-enriched feed is incorporated by the poultry, the resulting eggs comprise yolks that are rich in OCFA. The OCFA rich eggs can be consumed by humans as a dietary source of OCFA, to improve health.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to agriculture and, more specifically, to biomass compositions and methods for decreasing bruising, increasing plant health, increasing soil health, increasing sweetness in fruits and/or decreasing needle-drop in conifer species.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for indirectly reducing incidence of fungal pathogen infection in a plant are disclosed, wherein the fungal pathogen may be Botrytis, Macrophomina, Rhizoctonia, Sclerotinia, or Verticillium. The compositions comprise pasteurized microalgae cells in an amount effective to reduce incidence of the fungal pathogen in a plant compared to a substantially identical population of untreated plants. The composition treatment can include at least one microalgae such as Chlorella, Aurantiochytrium acetophilum HS399, Galdieria, Scenedesmus, Haematococcus, Isochrysis, Spirulina or any combination thereof. Where the composition comprises a combination of a first microalgae and a second microalgae, the composition may consist of a ratio of 25:75, 50:50: or 75:25.

Abstract: Biomass compositions and methods for increasing sweetness of fruit of a fruiting plant by administering to the fruiting plant, seedling, or seed, a liquid composition treatment comprising a culture of microalgae cells are disclosed. The liquid composition may comprise pasteurized Chlorella cells only, Aurantiochytrium acetophilum HS399 cells only, or a combination of Chlorella and Aurantiochytrium acetophilum HS399 cells that are pasteurized at a temperature between 65° C.-90° C. The administration may comprise contacting soil in the immediate vicinity of the fruiting plant, seedling, or seed.

Abstract: Biomass compositions and methods for decreasing bruising of fruit of a fruiting plant by administering to the fruiting plant, seedling, or seed, a liquid composition treatment comprising a culture of microalgae cells are disclosed. The liquid composition may comprise pasteurized Chlorella cells only, Aurantiochytrium acetophilum HS399 cells only, or a combination of Chlorella and Aurantiochytrium acetophilum HS399 cells that are pasteurized at a temperature between 65° C.-90° C. The administration may comprise contacting soil in the immediate vicinity of the fruiting plant, seedling, or seed.

Abstract: Methods of preparing a liquid Chlorella based composition comprising pasteurization and stabilization of a low concentration of mixotrophic or non-mixotrophic Chlorella whole cells are disclosed. The liquid composition can be used to enhance the emergence and growth of plants in low concentration and low frequency soil, foliar, seed soak, capillary action, and hydroponic applications.

Abstract: Methods of culturing microalgae in a continuous auxostat system are described herein. The methods may be used in mixotrophic culture conditions, and may be used in systems comprising open or closed bioreactor systems.

Abstract: Methods preparing a liquid mixotrophic Chlorella based composition comprising pasteurization and stabilization of a low concentration of mixotrophic Chlorella whole cells that have not been subjected to a drying process are disclosed. The liquid composition can be used to enhance the emergence and growth of plants in low concentration and low frequency soil and foliar applications.

Abstract: Methods of producing high purity palmitoleic acid esters from natural oils are disclosed. The natural oils may comprise plant oil, nut oil, microalgae oil, and fish oil. The methods of processing the natural oil comprise transesterification with ethanol as the reacting solvent to produce ethyl esters. Methods of producing a high purity fraction of Omega-3, 6, & 9 fatty acid esters from natural oils are also disclosed. The high purity fatty acid esters may be used in nutrition, cosmetic, and nutraceutical products.

Abstract: Methods of culturing mixotrophic microorganisms in a state of balanced gas composition are disclosed. Parameters of a culture of mixotrophic microorganisms may be controlled to reduce the requirements of externally supplied gases and optimize the production and consumption of gases within the culture by the phototrophic and heterotrophic metabolisms of the mixotrophic microorganisms.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a method. The method includes: providing a support structure; and providing a bioreactor operable to vitally support one or more microorganisms. The bioreactor includes a bioreactor cavity configured to contain the one or more microorganisms and a fluidic support medium and one or more bioreactor walls at least partially enclosing the bioreactor cavity. The bioreactor wall(s) have at least one bioreactor wall material that is flexible. The support structure is operable to mechanically support the bioreactor. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a system having a support structure configured to mechanically support a first bioreactor. The support structure can have a first frame and a second frame together being configured to mechanically support the first bioreactor in interposition between the first frame and the second frame. The first frame can maintain a first set point temperature of the first bioreactor through an exchange of thermal energy between the first frame and the first bioreactor when the first bioreactor is vitally supporting one or more first microorganisms and when the support structure is mechanically supporting the first bioreactor. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Microalgae based compositions and methods of improving emergence and yield of plants by administering an effective amount of a microalgae based liquid composition in combination with other active ingredients including extracts from macroalgae, extracts from microalgae, minerals, humate derivatives, primary nutrients, micronutrients, chelating agents, and anti-biotics are disclosed. A method of applying a microalgae based composition to soil to increase the cation exchange capacity of the soil is also disclosed.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a method. The method can include: conducting a first sterilization of an assembled bioreactor; after conducting the first sterilization of the assembled bioreactor, vitally supporting one or more first microorganisms with the assembled bioreactor; after vitally supporting the one or more first microorganisms with the assembled bioreactor, removing the one or more first microorganisms from the assembled bioreactor; after removing the one or more first microorganisms from the assembled bioreactor, gathering up the assembled bioreactor; after gathering up the assembled bioreactor, conducting a second sterilization of the assembled bioreactor; and after conducting the second sterilization of the assembled bioreactor, vitally supporting one or more second microorganisms with the assembled bioreactor. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a method. The method can include: inoculating a bioreactor with one or more first microorganisms and a first fluidic support medium, the bioreactor having one or more bioreactor walls at least partially enclosing a bioreactor cavity, being configured to be at least one of folded up or rolled up, and being sterile when the bioreactor is inoculated with the one or more first microorganisms, the one or more bioreactor walls having at least one bioreactor wall material, and the at least one bioreactor wall material being flexible and at least partially transparent; and vitally supporting the one or more first microorganisms with the bioreactor, a supply of light, and a supply of organic carbon. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of a modular tubular bioreactor system for culturing an aqueous culture of microorganisms are described herein. The tubular bioreactor may comprise culture tubes configured in a vertically spaced and horizontally staggered arrangement to optimize the application of light to the culture in phototrophic and mixotrophic cultivation.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a method of culturing one or more microalgae. The method can include: inoculating a bioreactor with the one or more microalgae and a fluidic support medium, the bioreactor having one or more bioreactor walls at least partially enclosing a bioreactor cavity, being configured to be at least one of folded up or rolled up, and being sterile when the bioreactor is inoculated with the one or more microalgae, the one or more bioreactor walls comprising at least one bioreactor wall material, and the at least one bioreactor wall material being flexible and at least partially transparent; and vitally supporting the one or more microalgae. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for continuously optimizing the profile of an aqueous culture comprising microorganisms. The systems and methods comprise a controlled environment comprising a housing enclosing a lighting device and controlled temperature environment, and sensor modules for measuring culture and environment parameters. The sensor modules may be in communication with an automated computer control system to continuously optimize the microorganism culture profile.