Abstract: Compositions suitable for application to plants and seeds comprising dried Chlorella cells are disclosed. Methods of preparing and applying compositions of dried Chlorella cells to plants and seeds to enhance at least one characteristic of a plant are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of plant enhancement comprising administration of a composition comprising microalgae biomass to improve seed germination rate, seed germination time, seedling emergence, seedling emergence time, seedling size, plant fresh weight, plant dry weight, utilization, fruit production, leaf production, leaf formation, leaf size, leaf area index, plant height, thatch height, plant health, plant resistance to salt stress, plant resistance to heat stress, plant resistance to heavy metal stress, plant resistance to drought, maturation time, yield, root length, root mass, color, insect damage, blossom end rot,-fruit quality, flowering, or sunburn.

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 Aurantiochytrium, Galdieria, Scenedesmus, Haematococcus, Isochrysis, Spirulina or any combination thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for improving characteristics of plants and soil by administering an effective amount of a microalgae-based composition in low concentration applications.

Abstract: One or more compositions and methods for applying compositions, for improving characteristics of plants and soil are disclosed. The methods can be utilized by administering an effective amount of a macroalgal based composition (e.g., algal composition), such as comprising an extract of the biomass of an algae. Low concentration of the composition may be used for the application, to provide effective results.

Abstract: Methods of improving characteristics of plants and soil by administering an effective amount of a Kappaphycus based composition in low concentration applications are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques and systems for producing microbials having anaplerotic oils that are rich in odd-chain fatty acids, and other beneficial components, at higher concentrations than those present in other natural dietary sources of OCFA, at lower cost, and higher production yield. Further, disclosed are examples of incorporation of these higher concentration OCFA products into food for human and non-human animal consumption.

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: Disclosed are techniques and systems for producing microbials having anaplerotic oils that are rich in odd-chain fatty acids, and other beneficial components, at higher concentrations than those present in other natural dietary sources of OCFA, at lower cost, and higher production yield. Further, disclosed are examples of incorporation of these higher concentration OCFA products into food for human and non-human animal consumption.

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: 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 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: 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.