Algae

Algae was a kind of plant life native to Earth. It grew almost exclusively in water, and ranged in size from single cells to huge stalks of kelp. On Earth and on colony ships, algae was grown in huge vats, and used as a major food source. Chefs on the Rodina competed against one another in the Annual Culinary Competition, in which the secret ingredient was always algae. Algae would be specifically engineered with multiple intertwined chains by trained professionals.