0. Executive Summary
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Judgment axis

Key judgment

Item IdentityThe representative species is Chlorella vulgaris Beijerinck, 1890, and NCBI Taxonomy ID 3077. ( NCBI )
Key roleIt is a microalgae product in which the entire culture of single-celled green algae is harvested as biomass and converted into dried, powdered, refined, food, and health functional food ingredients.
Harvesting principleGenerate a Harvest Batch based on Species, Strain, Culture Tank, Culture Water, Nutrients, Light, Temperature, pH, Cell Density, and Contamination Status.
Product separationSeparate into Culture → Wet Biomass → Concentrate → Dried Biomass → Whole-cell/Broken-cell Powder → Granule/Tablet → Finished Product.
Separation of similar itemsChlorella species that differ from Spirulina in biological classification, cell structure, and processing, and are also distinct from C. vulgaris, are managed as separate entities.
Domestic regulationsThe Ministry of Food and Drug Safety manages Chlorella as a notified functional ingredient for health functional foods . Currently, functionalities related to skin health, antioxidant effects, immunity enhancement, and blood cholesterol improvement are registered on the Korea Food Safety Information System (KFDA). (KFDA )
Standard updateThe Ministry of Food and Drug Safety strengthened the heavy metal standards for Chlorella based on the 2020 re-evaluation, and in Notification No. 2025-11 of 2025, readjusted the daily intake limits and other guidelines to reflect the re-evaluation results. ( Ministry of Food and Drug Safety )
Overseas food casesA notice regarding the use of Chlorella vulgaris strain Beij as an ingredient in various foods was registered under FDA GRN 396, but the FDA evaluation was suspended at the applicant's request. This is not described as completion of U.S. approval. ( FDA HFPAP External )
Overseas Chlorella seriesThe FDA GRAS Inventory has a separate GRAS Notice for algal flour based on Chlorella protothecoides strain S106. This is not grouped with C. vulgaris products as the same species. ( FDA HFPAP External )
Domestic production statisticsNationally approved raw data regarding Chlorella single-culture production volume, number of facilities, and production value were not available in this v1.0 version and will be entered later after official raw data verification.
Supply and demand riskStrain identity, culture water, contamination, nutrients, cell density, harvest yield, cell wall treatment, dry quality, heavy metals, microorganisms, and COA compatibility are key.
Operating PrinciplesConnect Species/Strain–Seed Culture–Production Culture–Harvest–Cell Processing–Powder/Product–Buyer RFQ.
Final goalThe goal is to establish a repeatable procurement system by connecting cell biomass genealogy, quality, regulations, and buyer evaluations from culture to the final product.
1. Plant Identity & Product Master

Basic fields

detail

Korean nameChlorella
English nameChlorella
Representative scientific nameChlorella vulgaris Beijerinck, 1890
Taxonomy IDNCBI 3077
classificationChlorophyta green algae → Trebouxiophyceae → Chlorellales → Chlorellaceae
Biological formSingle-celled green algae
Edible partsWhole cultured cell biomass, not specific organs
Non-edible · Separate managementCulture waste liquid · Contaminated culture · Non-compliant biomass · Process waste
Major production stagesStrain Preservation → Seed Culture → Scale-up → Production Culture → Harvest
Major harvesting stagesCell Density · Growth Status · Culture Purity · Buyer Spec
Basic product formWet Biomass·Paste·Dried Biomass·Powder·Broken-cell Powder·Granule·Tablet
Basic processing stageFiltration → Washing → Concentration → Dehydration → Drying → Cell Treatment/Grinding → Sieving → Formulation
Basic useHealth functional foods, general food ingredients, powder products, tablets, animal feed, research materials
Similarity PrincipleSpirulina · Separated from other Chlorella species · Chlorella-like algae

NCBI manages Chlorella vulgaris as its current name and classifies it as a species of green algae. At the same time, because polyphyletic nature has been identified within the Genus Chlorella due to past morphological classification, NCBI does not automatically convert Chlorella sp. products to C. vulgaris without species verification. ( NCBI )

Product Master

Product

Product stage

Key Management Standards

Chlorella Species MasterBiological EntitySpecies·Taxonomy
Chlorella StrainstrainStrain ID·Source
Master CultureOriginal speciesPreservation period, purity, and generation
Working CultureWorking strainParent Culture · Propagation Date
Seed CultureSeed cultureVolume·Cell Density
Intermediate CultureScale-upVessel Density
Production CultureProduction cultureTank/Pond/PBR·Batch
Culture Mediumculture mediumWater·Nutrient Formula
Harvest SuspensionHarvestCell Density·Purity
Washed BiomassWashing cellsWashing History
Concentrated BiomassconcentrationSolids · Moisture
Chlorella PastehumectantsMoisture, refrigeration, microorganisms
Whole-cell Dried Biomassdry biomassMoisture, color, and cell state
Whole-cell PowderGeneral powderParticle size and cell state
Processed-cell BiomassCell-processed raw materialsProcessing method/process history
Broken-cell PowderCell wall treated powderTreatment Strength · Particle Size · COA
Fine Powderfine powderMesh · Dispersion
GranulegranulesAuxiliary Ingredients · Flowability
TablettabletWeight, Total Chlorophyll, Auxiliary Ingredients
Capsule FillCapsule ingredientsPowder Lot · Particle Size
Functional IngredientDietary supplement ingredientsMFDS Standard
General Food IngredientGeneral food ingredientsCheck allowable range
Feed-grade Chlorellafor animal feedSeparated from Food Grade
C. protothecoides ProductSeparate Species ProductSeparated from C. vulgaris
Off-spec Biomassunsuitable raw materialsReprocessing/Disposal Verification
2. Product Classification & Use Segmentation

Classification criteria

Subdivision type

Management principles

GenusChlorellaCommodity Parent Entity
SpeciesC. vulgaris · Other SpeciesIndependent Species
StrainBy Culture CollectionStrain Master
culture stageMaster·Working·Seed·ProductionBatch separation
Cultivation methodOpen/Closed Tank/PBR etc.Facility separation
Nutritional methodsWhen applying photoautotrophy, mixed/heterotrophyProcess Type Separation
Harvesting typeSuspension·PasteProduct Separation
Cellular stateWhole Cell / Processed CellEssential separation
Dry formBiomass·PowderProduct Separation
FormulationGranule · Tablet · CapsuleFinished Product
Legal useGeneral Food / Health Functional Food / FeedSeparation of Legal Classes
Final useSupplement·Food Ingredient·FeedApplication
Transaction typeRaw materials · OEM · ODM · PB · Import · ExportRFQ

Although both Spirulina and Chlorella are distributed in the industry as microalgae, their culture, safety, and product standards are not standardized because C. vulgaris is a green algae while Spirulina belongs to the cyanobacteria family. The NCBI classifies C. vulgaris as a Chlorophyta-type green algae .

3. Production, Harvest & Post-harvest

step

Essential Dataset

Management purpose

Strain selectionSpecies·Strain·SourceIdentity
Master CultureCulture ID · Generationpreservation
Working CultureParent · Culture Datemultiplication
Seed CultureVolume·Cell DensityScale-up
Preparation of culture waterSource·ProcessingInput QC
Culture water testMicroorganisms, heavy metals, and water qualitySafety
Nutrient preparationRaw Material · Lot · PurityMedium
Medium preparationFormula·pHGrowth
Intermediate Scale-upVessel·VolumeScale-up
Production CultureFacility · Batchproduction
Light managementLight intensity and photoperiodPhotosynthesis
Temperature managementTemperature RuntimeGrowth
pH managementpH RuntimeCulture
CO₂ supplyInput amount · TimeCarbon
Mixing and stirringMixing·FlowUniformity
Nutrient managementN·P·Trace elementsProduction
Cell DensityOptical/Cell CountHarvest Forecast
MicroscopyCell Shape · ContaminationQC
Culture PurityOther microalgae and bacteriaRelease
Harvest judgmentDensity·Purity·SpecHarvest
Centrifugation/Filterrecovery rateHarvest
purifyingWash Water · Recovery RatePurity
concentrationSolidsProcessing
dehydrationMoistureDrying Prep
dryMethod, Temperature, TimeStability
Cell treatmentTreatment method and strength upon applicationProduct Differentiation
smashParticle SizePowder
constitutionMeshUniformity
mixAuxiliary Ingredients · BatchFormulation
Tablets and GranulesWeight and hardnessFinished Product
metal detectionalien substanceSafety
packagingLight blocking and moisture resistanceStability
saveTemperature and humidityShelf-life
ShipmentBuyer·LotTraceability
4. Quality Specification & Lot Management

Quality items

Wet Biomass

Dry Biomass

Powder

finished product

Public rating

SpeciesessentialsuccessionsuccessiontrackingPublic/Verified
StrainessentialsuccessionsuccessiontrackingVerified/NDA
Culture SourceessentialsuccessionsuccessiontrackingVerified
Master CultureessentialsuccessionsuccessiontrackingNDA
Production BatchessentialsuccessionsuccessiontrackingVerified
culture wateressentialsuccessionsuccessiontrackingVerified/NDA
MediumessentialsuccessionsuccessiontrackingNDA
pH, temperature, lightRuntimerecordrecordtrackingNDA/Internal
Cell DensitycoreYield basisVerified
Cell morphologycoreIngredient InformationCheck before and after processingVerified
Culture PuritycoresuccessionsuccessiontrackingVerified/NDA
colorcorecorecoreBy productVerified
smellcorecorecoreBy productVerified
moistureFreshcorecoreBy productVerified
Entry to the islandcoreBy productVerified
Cell wall treatmentBy productessentialsuccessionVerified/NDA
Total chlorophyllanalyzeProduct specificationscoreHealth Functional Food CoreVerified
alien substancecheckcorecorecoreVerified
microorganismtesttesttestConformity to standardsVerified/NDA
heavy metalsRisk-basedcorecoreConformity to standardsVerified/NDA
Drying historyessentialsuccessiontrackingNDA
Grinding historyessentialtrackingNDA
packagingtemporaryessentialessentialessentialVerified
Expiration dateLimitedBy productBy productBy productVerified
ShipmentessentialessentialessentialessentialVerified
Returns and ClaimsrecordrecordrecordrecordNDA
RepurchaseBuyer ConnectionBuyer ConnectionBuyer ConnectionBuyer ConnectionNDA

Lot Master Required Field

Lot ID · Item · Product Type · Genus · Species · Strain ID · Culture Collection/Source · Master Culture ID · Working Culture ID · Seed Culture Lot · Facility ID · Tank/Pond/PBR ID · Culture Water Source · Water Test · Medium Lot · Harvest Date · Culture Volume · Light · Temperature · pH · CO₂ · Mixing · Nutrient Runtime · Cell Density · Cell Morphology · Culture Purity · Contamination Test · Harvest Batch · Centrifugation/Filtration · Washing · Concentration · Dehydration History · Drying Method · Drying Date · Cell Treatment/Wall Processing · Dried Biomass Lot · Moisture · Color · Odor · Particle Size · Total Chlorophyll · Microbial · Heavy Metal Test Report · Grinding · Sieving · Mixing · Purification History · Packaging Date · Expiration Date · Buyer · Shipper · Returns · Claims · Repurchase

5. Korea Market & Demand Structure

Customers

Purchase criteria

Cooperation opportunities

Culture CollectionSpecies·StrainStrain cooperation
Cultivation companyStrain·Growth·PurityBiomass Production
raw material companiesPowder · COA · Particle SizeIngredient RFQ
Health functional food manufacturersTotal Chlorophyll · MFDS StandardsFunctional Ingredient
Refining OEMPowder · FlowabilityTablet
Capsule OEMPowder · Particle SizeCapsule
General food manufacturersPermitted ingredients, color, and tasteFood Application
Beverage companyDispersibility and colorBeverage
Confectionery and BakingColor and thermal stabilityIngredient
Cotton and grain productsColor and MixingFood Product
Snack companiesFlavor and colorSnack
HMRPowder · IngredientHMR
plant-based food companiesBiomass·Protein ProfileNew Food
Feed companyFeed GradeFeed
OEM·ODMFormula GradeManufacturing
PBBrand·PackagePrivate Label
importerSpecies·Origin·COAImport
exportersCountry Spec·LabelExport
Inspection agencyTotal chlorophyll, microorganisms, and heavy metalsQC
Research InstituteStrain · Cell Processing · PBRR&D
AX CompanyCell Density/Growth PredictionSmart Bioprocess
6. Trade & Supply-chain Intelligence

step

Key variables

Operational judgment

Securing strainsSpecies·Strain·IPGenetic Supply
Seed CulturePurity and vitalityProduction
culture waterWater quality and priceInput
NutrientsPurity · COAMedium
Production cultureFacility·CapacityBiomass
Environmental controlLight, Temperature, pH, CO₂Productivity
pollution controlBacteria · Other AlgaeBatch Safety
harvestCell DensityTiming
Recovery and ConcentrationRecovery YieldProduction Yield
dryMoisture and energyRaw Material
Cell treatmentApplicability and MethodProduct Differentiation
PowderingParticle size and colorIngredient
testTotal chlorophyll, microorganisms, and heavy metalsRelease
FormulationTablets, granules, capsulesValue Add
importSpecies·Origin·COASupplement Supply
exportProduct RegulationGlobal RFQ
RFQGrade·Spec·VolumeProcurement
RepurchaseQuality, Price, Delivery TimeSupplier Score

In the U.S. FDA GRAS Inventory, C. vulgaris and C. protothecoides-based ingredients exist as separate Notices, rather than as a single item called Chlorella. Therefore, even in international trade datasets, ingredient identity is not determined solely by the trade name "Chlorella Powder." ( FDA HFPAP External )

GRN 396, C. vulgaris strain Beij, was submitted for various food uses, but since the FDA suspended the evaluation at the applicant's request, it should not be labeled as FDA GRAS approved. On the other hand, there are separate cases involving C. protothecoides strain S106 flour, such as GRNs 469 and 519, where the FDA closed the case with a "no questions" status. ( FDA HFPAP External )

Trade Dataset

item

v1.0 processing

Chlorella Powder HSEnter after checking the current HSK product description from the Korea Customs Service.
Dried Biomass HSVerification by Use and Degree of Processing
Tablet/Capsule HSVerification based on whether it is a health functional food or a prepared product
C. protothecoides flourManaged as separate Product/Spec.
Feed-grade HSCheck for feed ingredients/preparations
Domestic import volumeInput after official verification of raw data
Domestic import valueInput after official verification of raw data
Domestic export volumeInput after official verification of raw data
Domestic export valueInput after official verification of raw data
Major countries of originHS+Species verification
Major exporting countriesHS raw data verification
Customs clearance unit priceCalculated only within the same HS, Product, and Unit
FTAVerification of Country, HS, and Origin Criteria
Import food inspectionCheck MFDS Imported Food Standards
COASpecies, total chlorophyll, microorganisms, heavy metals, etc.
7. Processing, By-products & PRP Intelligence

Products and processes

Key conditions

RFQ conversion

Production CultureStrain, Density, PurityBiomass RFQ
Wet BiomassMoisture and purityProcessor
Concentrated BiomassSolids · MicroorganismsPrimary Ingredient
Dried BiomassMoisture and colorIngredient RFQ
Whole-cell PowderParticle size and cell stateFood/Supplement
Processed-cell PowderProcessing Process · Particle SizeFunctional Product
Fine PowderMesh · DispersionBeverage
GranuleFlowabilitySupplement
TabletTotal chlorophyll weightHealth Functional
Capsule IngredientParticle size and densityOEM
Food PowderColor, taste, and dispersionGeneral Food
Beverage MixDispersionBeverage
Bakery/Pasta IngredientProcess stabilityFood
Plant-based ProductComposition, Color, TasteAlternative Food
Feed-grade BiomassFeed SpecFeed
Extract Raw MaterialExtractive aptitudeSeparate material RFQ
Off-color BiomassColor deficiencyGrade conversion verification
Off-spec ProductSubstandardReprocessing/Disposal
Culture Residueproduction by-productsVerification of feed, fertilizer, and biomaterials
Waste WaterCulture/wash waterEnvironmental management

While there have been GRAS Notice reviews for Chlorella vulgaris-based food ingredients in the U.S., the evaluation for GRN 396 has not been completed. Therefore, when designing overseas food applications, product acceptance must be reconfirmed against the regulations of the destination country. ( FDA HFPAP External )

PRP — Product Research Profile

Chlorella PRP operates with the following structure.

Species → Strain → Culture System → Biomass → Cell Processing → Powder Quality → Functional/Food Specification → Buyer Application → RFQ Performance

PRP

Key research questions

Taxonomy PRPWhether it is actually C. vulgaris or other Chlorella species
Strain PRPWhat are the differences in growth, color, total chlorophyll, and yield among strains?
Seed PRPIs the purity of Master→Working→Seed Culture maintained?
Water PRPWhat is the impact of culture water quality on product safety?
Medium PRPWhat is the relationship between nutrient formula and biomass yield?
Culture PRPWhat are the differences in productivity and contamination risk between open and closed systems?
Growth PRPWhat is the relationship between cell density and harvest timing?
Harvest PRPWhat is the recovery yield for each centrifugation and filtration method?
Cell Processing PRPWhat is the difference in product conformity between Whole and Processed Cells?
Drying PRPWhat are the effects of drying methods on color, total chlorophyll, and moisture?
Powder PRPAre the particle size, dispersibility, and taste suitable for the application?
Functional PRPDoes it meet the latest MFDS total chlorophyll and functional standards?
Safety PRPIs the management of heavy metals, microorganisms, and foreign substances sufficient?
Export PRPWhat are the country-specific standards for Species, Product Types, and Labels?
8. AX Transformation

first of all

Execution item

Performance indicators

1Make Species·Strain·Culture IDs requiredIdentity Coverage
2Master–Working–Seed genealogyCulture Traceability
3Tank/Pond/PBR Digital IDBatch Traceability
4Linking with culture water inspection DBWater QC Coverage
5Temperature, pH, and Light IoTSensor Coverage
6CO₂·Nutrients RuntimeProcess Coverage
7Automatic Cell Density MeasurementBiomass Accuracy
8AI Growth Curve PredictionHarvest Forecast
9Microscope AI Species/Contamination ScreeningContamination Detection
10Early warning of abnormal cultureBatch Failure Rate
11Harvest Timing AIRecovery Yield
12Concentration and drying yield predictionYield Accuracy
13Cell Processing HistoryProcess Traceability
14Powder Color/Particle AI QCGrade Accuracy
15Total Chlorophyll Analysis DB LinkageFunctional Spec Compliance
16COA Auto-connectionRelease Traceability
17Energy/kg analysisProduction Cost
18Product–Buyer AI MatchRFQ Conversion
19Buyer Evaluation → Strain/Process ImprovementRepeat Order Rate
9. Industry Problem Bank

Problem group

Problem Definition

Required data

Genus–Species interchangeablyConsider all Chlorella as C. vulgarisTaxonomy
Chlorella-like algae confusionMisidentifying Species by Shape AloneDNA/Strain
Strain history interruptionCulture Source · Generation UnknownGenealogy
Spawn contaminationSeed Culture contaminationMicroscopy
Culture Water RiskWater quality affects biomass qualityWater
Medium raw material variationDifference in nutrient purityCOA
culture contaminationContamination with other algae and bacteriaCulture Purity
light fluctuationsGrowth · Color deviationLight
Temperature fluctuationsChanges in Biomass ProductivityTemperature
pH fluctuationGrowth stability changepH
CO₂ supply deviationCarbon supply heterogeneityCO₂
Cell Density ManagementHarvest Timing inaccurateDensity
Recovery lossFiltration and centrifugation lossesRecovery
Washing lossBiomass Yield reductionWash
Cell processing unknownMix of Whole and Processed ProductsProcess
Drying deviationDifferences in color, moisture, and qualityDrying
Total chlorophyll deviationFunctional ingredient specifications RiskChlorophyll
microorganismProcessing and storage safetyMicrobiology
heavy metalsHealth Functional Food Standards RiskHeavy Metal
Particle size variationApplicability to tablets, capsules, and beveragesParticle Size
taste and smellLimitations of application to general food productsSensory
COA discrepancyDifferences in testing standards by supplierMethod
Standard VersionOmission of reflection in 2020·2025 re-evaluationRegulatory Version
International regulations by speciesC. vulgaris·C. protothecoides mixed togetherTrade
Lack of domestic production statisticsLimitations on identifying supply capacityFacility
Energy costsDrying and cultivation costsEnergy
Buyer Spec DifferenceStandards for health supplements, food, and animal feed differ.RFQ
Repurchase not reflectedBuyer results are not fed back into the production processEvaluation
10. Farmer RFQ & Collaboration Model

RFQ Type

Public Registration

Verify/NDA

Strain supplySpecies·StrainCulture Source · Rights
Master CultureSpeciesCulture ID · Purity
Seed CultureStrain · ShapeVitality·Lot
Outsourcing of production and cultivationproduction methodMedium·Capacity
Wet BiomassSpecies·GradeVolume/Unit Price
Dried BiomassMoisture and colorCOA·MOQ
Whole-cell PowderGrain Size · GradeCell State · Price
Processed-cell PowderProcessing statusProcess · COA
Fine PowderMesh · DispersionApplication
GranuleParticle size and auxiliary materialsOEM
TabletTotal chlorophyll weightSpecifications · MOQ
Capsule IngredientParticle size and densityOEM
Health functional food ingredientsCurrent MFDS standardsTotal Chlorophyll · COA
General food ingredientsProduct FormApplicable foods
drinkablesDispersibility and colorApplication Test
Confectionery and BakingThermal stability and colorBuyer Test
HMRPowderSpec
FeedFeed GradeFeed standards
OEM·ODMProduct TypeFormula·MOQ
PBBrand·Packagecontract
importSpecies·OriginCOA · Test
exportProduct·CountryLabel · Standard
Smart culture demonstrationSensor·CultureRaw Data
Cell treatment demonstrationProcess TypeYield·Quality
Research cooperationStrain · PBR · ProcessingIP · Exam materials
11. RFQ Request First

① Need Products & Materials

Companies and institutions seeking necessary products, agricultural products, raw materials, and processed goods register purchasing demands. Registered requests are utilized to review cooperation with potential suppliers and producers based on the RFQ Intelligence Library.

Process:
RFQ Registration → Supplier/Product Review → Collaboration Connection → Future AI Matching

Register


② We are looking for production and manufacturing partners. (Need Suppliers & Manufacturers)

Register a request to find necessary production and supply partners, ranging from farms and producer organizations to processing companies, OEM, ODM, and private label manufacturers.

Process:
RFQ Registration → Review of Production & Manufacturing Capabilities → Collaboration Connection → Future AI Partner Matching

Register


③ We are looking for domestic and international buyers. (Need Buyers)

Farmers, producer organizations, and manufacturing companies are requesting cooperation with new buyers, such as domestic and international distributors, importers, brand companies, and food service and catering businesses.

Process:
RFQ Registration → Product & Supply Capability Review → Market & Buyer Connection → Future AI Buyer Matching

Register

 

Contact : mail@markethub.org

Version History

Version

Main contents

situation

v1.0Chlorella vulgaris Identity·Strain·Culture·Harvest·Whole/Processed Cell·Dry·Powder·Health Functional Food·General Food·RFQ Basic Structure Registrationcomplete
v1.1Verification of raw data for domestic production statistics, cultivation facilities, strain suppliers, latest MFDS detailed specifications, HS codes, imports and exports, and price formulasexpected
v2.0Strain · Water · Medium · Tank/PBR · Growth · Harvest · Cell Processing · Drying · Powder · Functional Food Quality · Yield · PRP Segmentation by Foodexpected
v3.0Culture Provider – Chlorella Manufacturer – Drying, Cell Processing, and Raw Material Company – Health Functional Foods and Food OEM/PB – Import and Export Buyer Verified Container Combinationexpected