Bulgarian experience in aquaculture (microalgae) - cultivation, production and development

Abstract

The search for natural raw materials rich in biologically active and harmless substances for the
pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food industries is extremely significant nowadays, when
modern life is characterized by numerous ecological problems.
Microalgae are an untraditional but promising means to obtain the above purpose owing to
possibilities to control, optimize and run large-scale production of useful and healthy biomass.
The quality and economic efficiency of this production is site specific and highly dependent
on climate, environmental conditions, developed know-how technology, as well as the
existing local tradition of its use. The application of thermal waters, geothermal energy and
carbon dioxide for microalgae cultivation provides high process optimization and
considerably reduces the production costs.
The article deals with the existing experience in Bulgaria for more than 35 years in terms of
geothermal resource, cultivation, production and application of microalgae products. Special
attention is paid to the economic efficiency of its cultivation.