Development of Protein- and Carbohydrate-Enriched Extracts from Chilean Algae - 2024/2025

The development of protein- and carbohydrate-enriched extracts from Chilean algae represents a strategic opportunity for food security and sustainability. Chile’s coastal waters host species such as Macrocystis pyrifera, Gracilaria chilensis, Durvillaea antarctica, and Pyropia, which are rich in bioactive compounds and high-quality nutrients.

Through extraction and biotechnology processes, it is possible to obtain high-protein ingredients and functional carbohydrates suitable for food, supplements, and industrial applications. These extracts not only offer nutritional value, but also possess technological properties such as emulsification, gelling, and thickening, making them attractive to the global food industry.

Moreover, algae cultivation requires no freshwater or fertilizers, which reduces environmental impact and supports a circular economy. In the context of rising demand for alternative and sustainable proteins, Chilean algae emerge as a key resource to diversify the food matrix and drive innovation with local and international impact.

Program: RCER UC Call 2023

Project Duration: 12 months

Principal Investigator: Roberto Iván Canales Muñoz