This study describes the isolation and identification of Dunaliella viridis TAV01, a novel microalga strain discovered in a salt pond in Algarve, Portugal, in 2023. The main aim was to investigate its potential for food and feed applications due to its nutritional profile and robust growth characteristics. D. viridis TAV01 was identified using both maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) regions and ITS2 secondary structure analysis. Biochemical analysis of D. viridis TAV01 revealed its high nutritional value, with a high protein content of 35.7 g/100 g dry weight (DW), 65% higher than the World Health Organization's minimum recommendation. Additionally, it had a significant lipid content of 21.3 g/100 g DW, with a noteworthy proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), including 26.3% α-linolenic acid and 22.8% linoleic acid of total fatty acids (TFA). The amino acid profile was well-balanced, featuring essential amino acids such as leucine, phenylalanine, valine, and threonine. Lutein was the predominant carotenoid, constituting over 85% of the total carotenoids. The robust growth, environmental tolerance and nutritional composition of D. viridis TAV01 make it suitable for food and feed products and demonstrate their potential as a sustainable bio-based solution.

ProFuture is a European-funded Horizon 2020 research project aiming to scale up microalgae production and prepare the market uptake of microalgae proteins as ingredients for innovative and sustainable food and feed products. The project will last for 4 years (2019-2023) and it is coordinated by the Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA) in Spain.