Allma Natural Benefits, a supplier of microalgae based in Portugal, has launched Chlorella, a microalgae powder, free from contaminants and rich in phytonutrients, proteins, vitamins and minerals.

 Chlorella is grown in an Algafarm production unit in Leiria, Portugal in closed food-grade production systems called photo-bioreactors. The photo-bioreactors are exposed to sunlight to encourage photosynthesis, mimicking the growth of microalgae as it occurs in nature.

The closed production systems at Algafarm also enable greater control over cultivation conditions. Using gentle spray-drying technology, the Chlorella is converted into a powder that’s easy to use in a wide range of applications. It can also be used in foods to add a natural green color.

“The market for microalgae ingredients is very buoyant but most of what is available today is sold as a commodity with very little focus on quality. Our Chlorella breaks the mold in the sense that while it is produced in the high volumes the industry requires, it is grown to be far superior in terms of nutrient content and purity," said João Navalho, director of Allma. “Our entry into this market is a significant development because, for the first time, companies will be able to access the very best microalgae ingredients in the quantities they require, at competitive prices and produced in accordance with demanding European food safety laws."

Allma’s Chlorella is of the species Chlorella vulgaris, which offers a vegetable source of protein, including all nine of the essential amino acids. It also contains omega-3s and omega-6s, complex carbohydrates, phytonutrients including lutein, beta-carotene, chlorophyll and zeaxanthin, and a wide spectrum of vitamins and minerals.

Chlorella undergoes rigorous testing and is manufactured sustainably. It is non-GMO (genetically modified organisms) and is approved for use in foods worldwide, including the European Union.