Data of Microalgae Drying Using an Industrial Solar Dryer

This dataset includes 8 files that compile the results of the study on solar drying of the microalgae Nannochloropsis oceanica and Tetraselmis chui, in the scope of ProFuture H2020 project. Competitive drying solutions are required to meet future demands for high‐quality algal biomass while ensuring proper preservation at reduced costs. Since often used drying methods, such as freeze or spray drying, are energy and time consuming, more sustainable processes remain to be developed. Three drying trials were done for each species (T1, T2 and T3 for T. chui; N1, N2, N3 for N. oceanica). A control was done with freeze drying (TFD and NFD, for T. chui and N. oceanica, respectively). This study tested an indirect and hybrid solar dryer as an alternative to conventional freeze drying of industrially produced Tetraselmis chui and Nannochloropsis oceanica wet paste. The dataset includes: drying characteristics; biomass weight during drying trials; proximate composition; pigment contents; fatty acid contents; mineral contents; microbiology; and functional properties. Industrial solar drying was found to be a sustainable technology with a high potential to preserve high‐quality microalgal biomass for various markets at expected lower costs.