(NEW) Bioprospecting of microalgae and cyanobacteria from extreme habitats for novel compounds of commercial interest

Microalgae and cyanobacteria are ubiquitous photosynthetic microorganisms with variety of applications such as biofuel, nutritional supplements, biofertilizers and bioactive compounds. In the recent years, these organisms have gained much interest for the production of third generation biofuel including biodiesel. Bioprospecting the strains capable to grow in wider range of habitats is an imperative step for their successful utilization at commercial/large scale. Habitats with adverse environment are rich reservoir of microbes including microalgae and cyanobacteria that can produce wide array of compounds of commercial interest. These extreme habitats harbour the most adaptive species. South African and Oman partners with expertise in microalgal and cyanobacterial diversity and their utilization, and biodiesel production have joined research for the bioprospection of microalgae and cyanobacteria from the extreme habitats of South Africa and Oman for the novel compounds of commercial interest. These areas include the survey, collection, isolation, identification and characterisation of microalgae from South Africa and Oman; screening of hyper-lipid producing strains for nutraceuticals and biodiesel; oil extraction, biodiesel conversion and characterization of biodiesel. The partnership will lead to joint publications, sharing of expertise and potential intellectual property development that may not be native to each of the partner?s own countries. The partnership further seeks to train students/individuals in the field of microalgal and cyanobacterial diversity and their utilization for biodiesel production, to create more learned human resources in the field. This partnership will strengthen scientific ties and potentially lead to further collaboration between the countries as has been set forth by the relevant ministries.