Comparison
Freshwater vs marine microalgae
The key difference is the growth medium. Freshwater microalgae (such as Chlorella, Scenedesmus or Spirulina) do not add salts or chlorides to the medium, which is relevant for agriculture and soil regeneration; marine ones (such as Nannochloropsis, Tetraselmis or Phaeodactylum) grow in salt water and stand out in uses such as aquaculture and certain omega-3s.
| Criterion | Freshwater microalgae | Marine microalgae |
|---|---|---|
| Growth medium | Freshwater | Marine / brackish water |
| Salt content in biomass | Low | Higher |
| Agricultural / soil use | Favourable (no salinisation) | Limited by salt |
| Examples | Chlorella, Spirulina, Scenedesmus | Nannochloropsis, Tetraselmis, Phaeodactylum |
| Omega-3 (EPA) | In some | Prominent in several marine ones |
| ALGACEL focus | Yes (own production) | Documented in the cluster |
Which to choose?
For agriculture, biostimulants and uses where salinity is a problem, freshwater microalgae are the best basis —ALGACEL's focus—; for aquaculture and certain omega-3s, several marine species offer specific advantages.
Frequently asked questions
Because they do not add salts or chlorides to the soil or irrigation water, avoiding salinisation, unlike marine ones.
Nannochloropsis and the diatom Phaeodactylum stand out for their EPA (an omega-3) content, widely used in aquaculture and nutraceuticals.
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