Juan Algae gets green light from the Bureau of Customs for export worldwide
The University of the Philippines (UP) Visayas has secured its first patent for the invention on Methods and Composition of Microalgae Paste on August 16, 2023. The technology is currently being rolled out by Algacon Aquafeeds Manufacturing (AAM), a spinoff enterprise and one of the first beneficiaries of the Levelling Up of Innovative Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources-based Startups/Spinoffs thru Promotion, Assistance, and Development (LIPAD) Project.
The LIPAD Project is a collaborative project between the Department of Science and Technology Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST PCAARRD) and UP Institute for Small-Scale Industries (UP ISSI). It aims to provide commercialization support to innovative startups and spinoffs in the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources sectors. The project provided AAM with training, mentoring, and linkages, which helped them to accelerate the commercialization of their product.
The paste is now commercially available under the brand name Juan Algae. Algacon has also received the green light from the Bureau of Customs to export Juan Algae, making it available to customers around the world.
The microalgae paste is the brainchild of AAM founder Ms. Soledad S. Garibay, a University Researcher at the Institute of Aquaculture, and Prof. Leticia J. Ami, a retired faculty from the Institute of Fisheries Processing and Technology, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, UP Visayas.
The microalgae paste is a cost-effective and sustainable feed for aquaculture. It is made from microalgae, which are microscopic organisms that are rich in nutrients. The paste can be used to feed a variety of aquaculture species, including fish, shrimp, and mollusks.
This innovative product addresses a longstanding problem in the aquaculture industry – the vulnerability of hatcheries to culture collapse during adverse weather conditions. The microalgae paste serves as a reliable green water stimulator, ensuring a steady supply of nutrition during periods of insufficient feed. The technology has the potential to revolutionize the aquaculture industry and help to ensure food security in the Philippines.