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 M¢25  Funded By Mahalo ? |  November 06, 2009 12:32 PM

How can edible freshwater algae, i.e. Spirulina, be produced in sufficient quantity at home to qualify for possible future "survival food"?

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November 06, 2009 02:14 PM
It depends on the method you plan to use and whether you have enough space. The Japanese are devising ways to farm algae better, but the big challenge here is space. In order to make a decent amount of it, you need an open pond that is kept clean and devoid of contaminents. You have to strive to make sure the algae you grow doesn't get mixed up with a toxic variety. Harvesting is a little off but some can do it with a screen. The space needed to dry it is pretty serious. Then, you have to get the oils out of the algae but the good thing is, all those oils can be used for food too.

I do think you're on the right track here, but I'd recommend that someone start putting up nori made from the seaweed and storing it for future use, rather than having to wait through the process. Nori sheets would store so easily and wrap around just about anything to add protein. I have to eat Nori once a month because I have both a chronic iodine and iron deficiency from time to time.

Spirulina might make certain vegetarian types balk, as it's actually a bacteria (can be argued it's an animal) but that gives it the high protein content. It's like the jello argument (jello is made from animal bone). It can be used as fish food and quite possibly food for other animals. Let me warn you also that it is very stinky to make. We have an open pond at my parent's house that I have used for personal research, and most of the algae that have grown there are stinky things. So, survival in a bunker might not be pleasant with algae there, but . . . if you find a way to tank it (add a little fish to make the tank pretty) maybe people would forgive the stink. Perhaps you could skim algae from a well established tank? It would take about three years to get a tank healthy enough and you'd have to be very selective on how to get it started. . .

It is a good concept. In the 1970's they thought algae would be the food of the future.
Source(s):
Japanese friends, family, personal experience, personal opinion

Asker's Rating:
• Thanks for that. It helps with my research. If you find some more info in future about how to produce algae at home, in a tank or so, could you please let me know?


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