Global food security is under severe threat, with climate change and a rapidly growing population creating commodity shortages, hiking prices, and putting pressure on governments to find viable solutions.
Such is the level of concern, heads of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank Group, World Food Programme (WFP) and World Trade Organization (WTO) released a joint statement, calling for a stop to the worsening of the food and nutrition security crisis.
But there is some good news to be had. Scientists from the University of Birmingham in the UK believe they’ve found a solution in the form of ‘superfood’ Chlorella vulgaris.
What is Chlorella vulgaris?
Chlorella vulgaris is a species of green micro alga. It is found in freshwater, and on land in caves, deserts, farms, forests, grasslands, and on shorelines and wetlands.
Could Chlorella support food security in the future?
Chlorella vulgaris, is a freshwater micro alga, rich in protein, lipids, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.
However, unlike conventional agriculture, which requires extensive land and water resources, Chlorella vulgaris can be cultivated sustainably, with minimal environmental footprint. The reason for this being that it grows in abundance, with little need for human intervention. It’s a hardy alga, which can grow in a variety of habitats, including in lakes and rivers, and forests and caves.
The sky’s the limit for food and beverage manufacturers when creating new products using Chlorella (Getty Images)What are the health benefits of Chlorella vulgaris?
Chlorella vulgaris was found to contain antioxidant, immune support and detoxifying properties, making it a promising nutraceutical ingredient. This, combined with its global availability, led the the research team to conclude it could successfully be incorporated into food and beverage products worldwide, to enhance their nutritional value.
Chlorella vulgaris could be one of the superfoods that redefine the future of food innovation
Dr Helen Onyeaka
“As consumer interest in health-conscious and eco-friendly products grows, Chlorella vulgaris could be one of the superfoods that redefine the future of food innovation,” says Dr Helen Onyeaka, co-author on the study. “Our study underscores the critical role of applied research in addressing global food security challenges while promoting environmental sustainability.”
Interest in Chlorella vulgaris is already growing, with the rise of the health and wellness trend leading to a global market value of $200m, and a projected CAGR of 8.01% over the next six years, according to Straits Research.
And this new understanding of the potential importance of this freshwater alga will likely lead to a further spike in interest and sales.
“We found that Chlorella not only meets growing demand for sustainable food sources but also offers substantial health and nutrition benefits,” says Dr Onyeaka.
Described as having the flavour of earthy green tea, with slight seaweed undertones, Chlorella is suitable for both sweet and savoury foods and beverages (Getty Images)What does this mean for food and beverage manufacturers?
Chlorella has been used as a food supplement, available in powder and tablet forms, for around 15 years. However, this new research shows the innovation opportunities open to the food and beverage industry, and the sky really is the limit.
The team notes that, “adding it to food products can enhance their taste, texture, and appearance.”
Described as having the flavour of earthy green tea, with slight seaweed undertones, it is suitable for both sweet and savoury foods and beverages, making it a perfect functional ingredient.
However, the researchers note that, in order for the food and beverage industry to truly commit to incorporating Chlorella into a wide range of products, production methods will need to be optimised.
The team suggest future research should focus on improving strains and developing efficient cultivation systems, to fully realise Chlorella’s potential as a sustainable and nutritious food source.
“By overcoming production challenges through technological advancements, we can pave the way for Chlorella’s widespread adoption,” says Dr Onyeaka.
Chlorella vulgaris has the potential to be an important functional ingredient and support food security (Getty Images)
Source: Chlorella vulgaris as a food substitute: Applications and benefits in the food industry
Published online: 10.1111/1750-3841.17529
DOI: 18 November 2024
Authors: Chiao An Wang, Helen Onyeaka, Taghi Miri, Fakhteh Soltani