A key variable in the production process is the strain selection. Algae count thousands of different species.

Thanks to its strong knowledge of algal life cycles, SBAE is:

• selecting and isolating the most appropriate strains;
• determining the best cultivation conditions for each species;
• improving algae strains towards specific properties through conventional plant breeding techniques.

Through its fundamental knowledge of algae lifecycle and sexual reproduction, SBAE is able to apply conventional plant breeding techniques to diatom algae. The development of specific properties in algae is much faster than with terrestrial crops (corn) given their short lifecycle (days instead of years). The composition of the algae can thus be enhanced in a directed way in order to increase the content of the intended valuable components.

SBAE only produces non-genetically modified algae, as it is in favour of conventional plant breeding to improve the selected algae species.