Claire visits a macroalgae research facility in Tauranga to learn how and why the team there are growing large quantities of seaweed and freshwater macroalgae.

At Sulphur Point in Tauranga sits a warehouse-sized greenhouse, designed for just one purpose - to grow macroalgae.

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The Facility for Aquaculture Research of Macroalgae, or FARM, is key to the work of the University of Waikato's macroalgal biotechnologies programme, led by Dr. Marie Magnusson. The multi-million dollar facility allows researchers to figure out how best to grow large quantities of macroalgae, as well as explore the potential uses of different species.

As researcher Dr. Rebecca Lawton explains, native seaweed or freshwater algae is harvested from different areas of the Bay of Plenty and brought to the facility to be cultivated and studied. First, in small batches to work out what species or individual will grow best in their controlled conditions, and then in larger quantities to extract the component that they need.

The macroalgae can be separated into different fractions and analysed at the on-site chemistry lab, under the watchful eye of Dr. Chris Glasson. With the goal of ensuring every part of the harvested macroalgae is used, the team have been working with industry and other partners on a range of applications, including animal and human food, health supplements and materials science.

In a local collaboration with Aqua Curo, the team have developed a system to allow bioremediation of wastewater by freshwater macroalgae at the nearby Te Puke wastewater treatment plant - the algae sucks the excess nutrients out of the wastewater as a last clean-up step before discharge. And, based on previous research work that showed promise in animal models, and in collaboration with partners at Lincoln University, they are also about to begin a clinical trial investigating the potential of sea lettuce pills to help people with metabolic disorders.

Plus the researchers have also been experimenting with their own seaweed recipes, though some remain.... contentious.

The Enterpreneurial Universities Macroalgal Biotechnology Enterprises Programme and facilities is funded by the Tertiary Education Commission and the University of Waikato. The clinical study mentioned by Dr. Chris Glasson is also partially funded by an internal grant from Lincoln University awarded to Dr Catherine Elliot. The freswhater bioremediation work mentioned at Te Puke wastewater treatment plant is funded by Aqua Curo.

To learn more

Visit the groups webpage

Find out more about the bioremediation project mentioned at Aqua Curo's website.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details