CultureAugust 11, 2026

microalgae

MY-kroh-al-jee

Definition

A type of microscopic, single-celled alga that is increasingly being used as a source for producing alternative, sustainable proteins.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek 'mikros' meaning small and the Latin 'alga' meaning seaweed. The term was adopted into scientific English to describe algae that can only be seen with a microscope.

In the news

The article mentions microalgae as an example of a novel alt protein that is now being produced through the process of large-scale industrial fermentation.

Why China should matter to every alt protein company

Read the full article ↗

FoodNavigator.com

Related words

Learn a word like this every day

Meet one new word every morning.

Newspoken pulls one carefully chosen word from the day’s news — with a clear definition, context, and light review that makes it stick. Get it on your phone.