Key Takeaways:
- Checkerspot has developed a microalgae-derived oil with a fatty acid profile comparable to high-oleic palm oil, using fermentation without genetic engineering.
- The process achieved industrial scalability, reaching up to 145 grams per liter in oil production and accounting for approximately 70% of dry cell weight.
- The oil may be used as a potential substitute in food, nutrition, and personal care sectors where high-oleic palm oil is commonly used.
- Checkerspot aims to address environmental and supply chain challenges, such as deforestation and global dependency on tropical oil production.
- The company continues to expand its biotechnology platform, focusing on fermentation-based alternatives for various oil and fat products.
Checkerspot Announces Palm Oil Alternative from Microalgae
Checkerspot has announced the successful development of a fermentation-based alternative to high-oleic palm oil. The oil is derived from the microalga Prototheca moriformis and was produced using non-genetically engineered strain improvement methods. According to the company, the oil contains more than 55% oleic acid and 32% palmitic acid, making it comparable to traditional high-oleic palm oil.
This development was detailed in a recent study published in the journal Fermentation. The company notes that its approach aligns with consumer interest in non-GMO ingredients and aims to offer an alternative to conventionally sourced tropical oils.
Checkerspot’s Fermentation Process Achieves Commercial-Scale Output
The production process reached levels of up to 145 grams of oil per liter and yielded oil comprising about 70% of the biomass dry weight, indicating potential scalability for industrial use. Checkerspot has previously scaled other oils using similar fermentation technology and is exploring applications for its high-oleic alternative in food, nutrition, and personal care industries.
Using the same underlying platform, Checkerspot has developed additional oil-based products and continues to assess market readiness in collaboration with partners in the alternative oils sector.
Checkerspot’s Microalgae Platform Developed to Address Supply and Sustainability Concerns
High-oleic palm oil is typically produced in tropical regions, where conventional agriculture may face environmental and economic challenges. Checkerspot’s microalgae-based platform offers a method of producing oil in a controlled, fermentation-based environment.
By bypassing traditional agriculture, this approach may reduce reliance on certain global supply chains and potentially limit land-use impacts associated with palm cultivation. The company’s board member, Jim Kim of Builders VC, stated that the development reflects interest in exploring domestic alternatives to imported tropical oils.
Broader Strategy Centers on Biotechnological Innovation
Checkerspot’s platform aims to create tailored oil and fat compositions for specific applications across industries. The company continues to invest in microbial fermentation technology to produce ingredients that align with evolving industry requirements and regulatory considerations.
This latest development is part of Checkerspot’s broader focus on biotechnology-driven innovation to expand the availability of renewable, high-performance inputs.
