Microalgues marines : les enjeux de la recherche

Industrial potentialities related to biotechnology of microalgae are examined, highlighting a wide spectrum of applications which concern principally nutrition, health, environment and energy. The french situation of research on microalgae, especially at Ifremer, is assessed, showing that the main axis are fine chemistry, aquaculture, environment, bio-process engineering. It covers the majority of the applications, but leaves in shade certain important aspects such as human food and CO2 fixation. Concerning the general approach, some significant improvements can be expected from a more accurate control of bacteriological and genetic quality of cultures. About the industrial aspects, a national initiative seems in progress. The variety of potential applications together with strategic character of some of them (health, food), justify that research in relation with concerned fields be structured, and even intensified, in order to reinforce national position, and give extend to future developments.