Iran-Made Biological Air Purifier Equals 150 Trees in Generating Oxygen

Anvar Izadi, the managing director of Zist Andishan Behfar Company, was established in 2004 has managed to design and manufacture a cutting-edge biological air purifier that can generate oxygen as much as oxygen generated by 150 trees.

In an interview with ANA, Izadi further expounded on the company’s achievements and activities.

As a producer of blue-green alga (spirulina platensis), the company started manufacturing economically reasonable cultivation media able to compete in international markets in 2003.

The blue-green alga has many applications in poultry nutrition with high levels of bioactive antioxidant compounds, which can alleviate the oxidative stress damage induced by high ambient temperature.

The spirulina contains 60 percent digestible protein, which is three times that of soybean, and five times that of meat. The protein quality is among the best with a good degree of aminogram.

After seven years of research and experiments, the company invented a cultivation medium for the commercial cultivation of spirulina. In 2009, the company was registered and a year later it gained the status of a knowledge-based company by the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology.

In 2021, with the support of the Islamic Azad University and the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology, the company started producing using the bio-fence method for the first time in Iran across an area of 1,000 square meters.

Photobioreactor known as the bio-fence is specifically designed for the cultivation of the marine algal species used in aquaculture or for wastewater treatment either with microalgae or photosynthetic bacteria.

The project has the advantage of lower cost in comparison with other Photobioreactors, and larger space for cultivation. All the processes are carried out using the circulation method.

The blue-green alga (spirulina platensis) production complex is comprised of four sections, namely laboratory, cultivation and production, consultation and supervision, and research and development.

The research and development section is divided into food industries, processing, air pollution, biological fertilizers, and industrial sewage pollution.

In the air pollution section, the biological air purifier (algae tree) was manufactured that is able to generate the oxygen that is generated by 100-150 trees 10 years old.

It can remove all kinds of pollution, such as greenhouse gases, BTEX, heavy metals, and other pollutants from the environment. The system can be used in both open and closed spaces including offices, hospitals, and other places across the city.

Spirulina is among the world’s most popular supplements. It is loaded with various nutrients and antioxidants that may benefit the body and brain.

This tiny alga is packed with nutrients. It is a rich source of protein, vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin B5, vitamin B6, vitamin B9, vitamin B12, vitamin E, as well as minerals such as copper, iron, magnesium, potassium, and manganese.

Spirulina is a fantastic source of antioxidants, which can protect against oxidative damage. Its main active component is called phycocyanin.

Spirulina has a higher content of β-carotene, cryptoxanthin, and zeaxanthin compared to most other natural sources. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has found spirulina to be an excellent food for human consumption and for combating night blindness.

In addition to using spirulina as a source of protein, it can also be used as a source of carbohydrates and to biologically remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Over the past year, in order to realize a resilient and knowledge-based economy, a series of activities have been carried out to further develop the ecosystem of innovation and technology in the country, according to the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology.

More than 7,000 knowledge-based companies have so far been registered and are now operating across the country.

The companies are mainly active in the fields of biotechnology, agriculture, food, steel, gas, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, oil, electronics, telecommunications, information technology, and computer.

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