Microorganisms are fascinating creatures that can be found everywhere, literally. From deep under the ocean to inside our own bodies, they play a vital role in our daily lives. One such microorganism that has been getting a lot of attention lately is Nanno. What exactly is nanno, you ask? Well, let me tell you all about it.
The Basics of Nanno
Nanno (pronounced nan-o) is an extremely small type of algae that belongs to the family Tetraselmidae (1) . It's so tiny, measuring only 2-4 micrometers in size (2) , making it one of the smallest organisms on earth! To put this into perspective for you - if we lined up 4000 nannos next to each other, they would barely span one inch!
Where Can You Find Them?
You won't need any fancy gadgets or equipment to find them - because they're virtually everywhere! They can be found thriving in freshwater and marine environments worldwide (3).
What Makes Nanno So Special?
While some may mistake nannos for regular pond scum, don't dismiss these marvels just yet – there's more than meets the eye.
Nutritional Content Beyond Belief
This minuscule plant pack quite a punch when it comes to nutrition. Studies have shown(5)that up to 50% of their biomass consists solely of proteins and healthy fatty acids like EPA & DHA (((6))) . This makes them ideal supplements for vegans or even health enthusiasts looking ensure proper nutrient intake.
Helpful "HAB" Busters,
| Nannochloropsis ieas/ strains | Benefits |
|---|---|
| CCMP526 † | Bioavailable astaxanthin; High Omega-3s and EPA; Annatto-color or none, safe for fish |
| ARC306 | adapted to 65 ppt NaC‡; Spirulina (Spirulina platensis) contamination strain |
| CCMP537 † | Bioavailable astaxanthin†; Zero nitrate introduced in final tank product (aqua/aquaculture/fish food) |
| IMET1 | Recent patent-pending isolate with focus on higher growth rates and harvest capacities |
“HAB’s? What the heck are they?”
Well, let us clarify - harmful algal bloom i.e. HAB's can cause detrimental effects such as reduced oxygen levels --which make larger organisms like fishes vulnerable (7). Fortunately, nannochloropis' attractiveness as a supplement especially in commercial aquatic/hatchery settings offer great protection not only empowering bigger marine life but controlling algal bloom itself!(8)
Nanno Today
Nanno is gaining mainstream popularity due to its many benefits across industries.
Aquaculture
Slowly catching up with Soybeans & Cornstarch flour based feedstocks(5). Commercial hatcheries looking into more sustainable methods (4) have found a replacement for traditional formulas by using natural-based alternatives – specifically microalgae meal powders including those from Nannochloropsis marine microorganisms!
Fishy Facts About Our Oceans
You may be surprised that tuna we consume today could weigh less than their grandparents weighed at same age during prime fishing time!!! This can very well be blamed on industrialization & overfishing of seas around world . Not leaving anything to chance--some state-funded organisations are embarking on futuristic ventures focusing solely using seaweeds/microalagae/i.e nature-derived sources which happen to include nanno-algae ! (9)
Industrial Uses
With advancements in technology, manufacturers are seeking ways to make their products more eco-friendly. Nanno proves itself again as the go-to microalgal source for achieving environmentally conscious production methods. There have been recent breakthroughs in using nanno's fatty acids for producing industrial surfactants (10) !
Cosmetics
Due to its oil content, nannochloropsis is an exceptional ingredient in skin care and cosmetic formulation particularly for reducing wrinkles and soothing irritated skin (11) .
In Conclusion
Although small, this microscopic marvel called Nanno has a great amount of potential across industries such as aquaculture control against HAB’s aka detrimental toxins; novel sources of proteins/healthy fats supplementation not just limited with vegan consumption! Who knows where else we will find it's importance next wink.
Bye Bye until Next Time!
References:
(1) [https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/tetraselmidae]
(2)[https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19503600/]
(3)[ https://academic.oup.com/ocean-science/article/14/4/1007/pdf]
(4)[http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13568-016-0259-y]
(5) [http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12603/cbfe509f-fe99-45ce-bad0-f98d0848bc76#page=108]
(6)[https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=nannochloropsis+EPA+%26+DHA&filter=simsearch1.fha&page=2]
(7) [http://jap.physiology.org/content/jap/122/2-Toc.pdf ]
(8) {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352587319300699}
(9)[https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007%2F978-3-319-10578›]
(10)[https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1111/jiec.12824 ]
(11) [https://www.karger.com/Article/PDFFullText/492035]