image: Dr. Hafidh bin Ali Al-Mahrouqi, Supervisor of the Algae Unit at the Agricultural Experiment Station (SQU) and the project’s principal investigator
Credit: Sultan Qaboos University Media Office
Muscat, Oman — Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) has achieved a significant milestone in the commercial production of spirulina, a highly nutritious microalgae increasingly recognized worldwide for its role in food security, health supplements, and sustainable production systems.
Spirulina is known for its high protein content and rich profile of essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making it one of the most promising natural sources of concentrated nutrition. Its applications span dietary supplements, functional foods, animal feed, and environmentally sustainable products.
Through applied scientific research and optimized cultivation techniques, researchers at SQU successfully demonstrated the feasibility of large-scale, high-quality spirulina production under local environmental conditions, marking a major step toward reducing reliance on imported nutritional products and supporting local production.
The project received financial support from the Agricultural and Fisheries Development Fund, amounting to 80,000 Omani Rials, which enabled the transition from experimental research to actual field implementation and commercial-scale production. This support played a key role in scaling operations and validating the economic and technical viability of spirulina cultivation in Oman.
The achievement opens new opportunities for industry collaboration, technology transfer, and investment in the biotechnology and aquaculture sectors, while contributing to national goals related to sustainability, food resilience, and economic diversification.
This milestone reflects Sultan Qaboos University’s commitment to translating scientific research into practical solutions with tangible societal and economic impact, reinforcing its role as a leading research institution at both the regional and international levels.
Method of Research
Experimental study