Compatible extraction of carbohydrates and other cellular components from brown seaweed

In a future society with an expectantly extended demand for renewable energy sources, we will need to find novel supplies of biomass for biofuels production. Looking beyond the terrestrial ecosystems, marine macroalgae show good potential as feedstock for biorefineries producing e.g. biofuels, biochemicals, food and feed ingredients. Biomass from brown seaweed can contain up to 60% carbohydrates, but lack lignin, which facilitates the pre-treatment procedures. The β-glucan laminarin and mannitol constitute a large part of the carbohydrates and are easily extractable and suitable as carbon source in fermentation processes. Within the SEAFARM project, we are currently developing a method for efficient simultaneous extraction of these carbohydrates and other functional components from brown algae, with the overall objective to enable an economically and ecologically sustainable use of seaweed biomass in a biorefinery.