SHAPESHIFTING SUPERSTAR

THE DIFFERENT SHAPES OF ALGAE

It’s about time we introduced you to our favorite alga Phaeodactylum, aka the ”Shapeshifter”. The golden-brown, single-cell microalgae that live and grow together with Team Simris at our Algae Farm in Hammenhög!

The choice for the signature Simris algae was easy. Phaeodactulym is known for its ability to produce an abundance of omega-3 fatty acids. It is our darling and our wicked shapeshifter superstar.

FOUR SHAPES - ONE PREFERRED

This beauty can morph its shape in four ways. It can take an oval shape; a triradiate-shape with three pointy ends; a ”fusiform” shape that resembles a thin version of a banana; or the heavy-metal sounding ”cruciform” shape with four points just like a cross. In our greenhouse, we aim for our algae to be fusiform. This is the shape or state when the algae are at their most kick-ass. When they are the most productive, potent and fastest-growing. In fact, single-cell organisms don’t grow, they divide.

DAILY ALGAE CONTROL

Our algae can be more or less dense in mass, depending on factors such as the season and access to sunlight. Our farm is located in the sunny south of Sweden – but it’s still Sweden, which means that in the winter months, the sun can be a bit, eh, scarse at times. The mass, shape and condition of the algae are monitored daily by our algae farmers. They control the water the algae grow in, scrutinize samples of algae under the microscope and measure their density and weight. All to ensure our algae are happy and thriving.

MICROALGAE LIVING LIFE

If needed, our Simris algae farmers tweak and make changes in the farming systems to make sure we provide the best environment for our algae. Our alga lives its best life in a suitable water environment with access to sunlight when it reaches the desired, thin banana shape! Then it divides and cozies up with friends, making a cluster that resembles a flower star.

We do everything to make sure our algae live their best lives every day!

PHAEODACTYLUM, THE “SHAPESHIFTER”

Scientific name: Phaeodactylum tricornutum

Skills: Fast growing, can produce EPA omega-3 from sunlight!

Thrives in: Marine environments and algae farms

Starring in: Simris® Algae Omega-3, Simris® Algae Omega-3 for Athletes