10180819CO2 Enriched and Enzymatic-Enhanced Algae Bioprocessing (CEEA-Bio)ClosedCollaborative R&DInnovate UKThis feasibility study will explore a new and sustainable way to grow and process microalgae to create environmentally friendly agricultural products. The work focuses on _Synechococcus elongatus_, a type of cyanobacteria (microalgae) that naturally absorbs carbon dioxide as it grows, involving 3 parts: 1. Through cultivation in controlled conditions, the project will measure how effectively this organism can uptake and convert CO2 into useful biomass in conditions of high CO2 concentration. This supports wider efforts to reduce carbon emissions and develop low-carbon materials. 2. With the produced microalgae biomass, the project will test a gentle, water-based extraction method to extract natural antioxidant compounds from the biomass. A food-grade enzyme will be used to break down cell walls, allowing extraction of valuable bioactive compounds. These compounds have potential use as natural biostimulants that promote plant growth and improve resilience to environmental stress. 3. The remaining microalgal biomass, which still contains nutrients and organic matter, will not be wasted. Instead, it will be evaluated as a biofertiliser to improve soil quality. This approach ensures that the entire biomass is utilised, reducing waste, increasing value-added products, and supporting a circular, resource-efficient approach. Through this work, the project will generate new insight into: * How effectively _Synechococcus elongatus_ can uptake and utilise carbon dioxide under elevated CO2 conditions. How well a single-step aqueous enzyme-assisted extraction can recover useful biostimulant compounds. The suitability of the remaining biomass as a natural fertiliser as a sustainable agricultural input. By developing efficient processing methods that make full use of microalgal biomass, this project contributes to the growth of a sustainable and circular bioeconomy in the UK. Although the study will use a regulated laboratory CO2 supply, the approach could in future be adapted to utilise existing industrial CO2 streams, helping to make use of emissions that would otherwise be released. The results will inform the potential for future scale-up and demonstrate how biological processes can support low-carbon agriculture while reducing reliance on synthetic fertilisers.