Products for the biotechnology industry
NutrOcean produces marine microalgae that can be used as ingredients in the formulation of many products for the biotechnology industry’s multiple markets.Marine microalgae are increasingly used as a source of active ingredients for the production of human and animal nutritional supplements, body care products, cosmetics, biomedical and pharmaceutical products and horticultural products. Among others, pharmaceutical companies are very interested in certain molecules of marine origin and their derivatives which are able to effectively inhibit or treat some diseases. Marine microalgae also are of interest for environmental applications, sewage treatment, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the production of biofuels. For more information on the characteristics of our products and how they can serve as ingredients in various products, contact us.
People often think of fish when they think of how to obtain dietary omega-3 fatty acids, but omega-3s can also be obtained from food supplements. Consuming omega-3 fatty acids is recognized as having beneficial anti-aging effects and providing protection against cardiovascular disease, cognitive degeneration, depression and mood disorders.
A scientific meeting entitled "Dietary lipids: An additional tool for functional foods and nutraceuticals” was organized by the Centre québécois de valorisation des biotechnologies (Quebec centre for the promotion of biotechnology) and held in Quebec City on March 27, 2008. The following figure was presented at the meeting by nutritionist Dr. Michel Lucas, a recognized expert with a doctorate in epidemiology from the public health research unit at Laval University.
As the figure illustrates, not all omega-3s are equally beneficial for human beings. Since the body requires EPA and DHA omega-3s, it is much more efficient to consume these omega-3s directly rather than the forms that are only very inefficiently converted to EPA and DHA. The conclusions from this table were reiterated by Jacinthe Côté in the newspaper La Presse (in French) on September 28, 2008. The human body metabolizes omega-3s of marine origin much better than it does those of plant origin, so it is clearly preferable to consume those of marine origin. However, the only marine organisms that actually synthesize omega-3s are the marine microalgae. Fish accumulate these omega-3s by eating the microalgae themselves or other organisms which have fed on microalgae. It is advantageous to use omega-3s directly from the production source. In addition, the production of microalgae has no damaging effects on the environment — to the contrary, they consume the greenhouse gas CO2 when they multiply.
At the same scientific meeting on dietary lipids, Dr. Colin Barrow, Executive Vice-president for Research and Development at Ocean Nutrition Canada, presented the results of several clinical studies. One of these studies showed that expectant mothers who consumed 2 g of a mixture of EPA and DPA per day gave birth to babies who had higher cognitive abilities and IQs (Pediatrics, 2003). In addition, young children fed a diet containing 0.36% DHA had better mental and psychomotor development compared with those who received a diet containing ALA only.
Research has also shown that consuming EPA and DHA during childhood improved reading, writing and behavior, while reducing aggressiveness, especially in girls (Oxford-Durham Study and J Nutr Biochem, Japanese Study, 2005).
Consuming EPA and DHA is also beneficial for adults. Another study showed that supplementation with EPA and DHA for 35 days increased energy and decreased anger, anxiety, fatigue, depression and confusion (based on the Profile of Mood State test; Eur. J. Clin. Invest., 35(11):691-699, 2005). Research has also shown that dietary consumption of EPA and DHA by people over 65 reduces cognitive decline (Arch. Neurol, 62:1-5, 2005) and strokes (Arch. Intern. Med. 165(2):200; erratum, 165(6):683, 2005).
Not all dietary supplements are necessarily good for you, as some can represent a risk to human health. In fact, in La Presse (in French) of April 23, 2008, Stéphanie Bérubé reported that, according to a study conducted by Dr. Sébastien Sauvé of the Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry at the University of Montreal, “Consumers should, at the very least, know that their supplements contain certain metals”. In 2004 and 2005, the research team tested 55 products available over-the-counter in drugstores, supermarkets and natural food stores in Montreal, as well as by Internet from the United States and Australia. All of the tested products contained various levels of trace heavy metals. Although none of these products exceeds the amounts allowed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the authors recommended that the public exercise caution in using dietary supplements that may lead to an accumulation of heavy metals in the body, as these products add to the normal composition of foods which often contain the same metals (see article).
The microalgae produced by NutrOcean do not contain detectable levels of the main toxic heavy metals; to the contrary, they contain substantial amounts of trace elements that are beneficial to humans. This is because microalgae are the only marine organisms that synthesize omega-3s. Other marine species – which do not themselves produce omega-3s — assimilate them from the small organisms they feed on. While feeding, they can also accumulate elevated concentrations of heavy metals that are contained in miniscule amounts in the smaller organisms. Since microalgae synthesize omega-3s themselves, and do not feed on other organisms, they do not absorb and accumulate heavy metals and thus are much more wholesome.
In summary, microalgae produce long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, and are the only organisms that actually synthesize EPA and DHA, which are the forms of omega-3s that are required by human beings. Microalgae are also the only source of omega-3s that does not also contain toxic heavy metals.
Microalgae can also be used in body care products.
Microalgae are an efficient foliar treatment to improve plant growth. Plants absorb the minerals and nutrients contained in microalgae fertilizer more efficiently and with better growth results compared to other nutrient sources, according to a study conducted by Mahmoud M. Shaaban of the Botany Department, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt (Journal of Biological Sciences 4(6):628-632, 2001).
At the same scientific meeting on dietary lipids, Dr. Colin Barrow, Executive Vice-president for Research and Development at Ocean Nutrition Canada, presented the results of several clinical studies. One of these studies showed that expectant mothers who consumed 2 g of a mixture of EPA and DPA per day gave birth to babies who had higher cognitive abilities and IQs (Pediatrics, 2003). In addition, young children fed a diet containing 0.36% DHA had better mental and psychomotor development compared with those who received a diet containing ALA only.
Research has also shown that consuming EPA and DHA during childhood improved reading, writing and behavior, while reducing aggressiveness, especially in girls (Oxford-Durham Study and J Nutr Biochem, Japanese Study, 2005).
Consuming EPA and DHA is also beneficial for adults. Another study showed that supplementation with EPA and DHA for 35 days increased energy and decreased anger, anxiety, fatigue, depression and confusion (based on the Profile of Mood State test; Eur. J. Clin. Invest., 35(11):691-699, 2005). Research has also shown that dietary consumption of EPA and DHA by people over 65 reduces cognitive decline (Arch. Neurol, 62:1-5, 2005) and strokes (Arch. Intern. Med. 165(2):200; erratum, 165(6):683, 2005).
Not all dietary supplements are necessarily good for you, as some can represent a risk to human health. In fact, in La Presse (in French) of April 23, 2008, Stéphanie Bérubé reported that, according to a study conducted by Dr. Sébastien Sauvé of the Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry at the University of Montreal, “Consumers should, at the very least, know that their supplements contain certain metals”. In 2004 and 2005, the research team tested 55 products available over-the-counter in drugstores, supermarkets and natural food stores in Montreal, as well as by Internet from the United States and Australia. All of the tested products contained various levels of trace heavy metals. Although none of these products exceeds the amounts allowed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the authors recommended that the public exercise caution in using dietary supplements that may lead to an accumulation of heavy metals in the body, as these products add to the normal composition of foods which often contain the same metals (see article).
The microalgae produced by NutrOcean do not contain detectable levels of the main toxic heavy metals; to the contrary, they contain substantial amounts of trace elements that are beneficial to humans. This is because microalgae are the only marine organisms that synthesize omega-3s. Other marine species – which do not themselves produce omega-3s — assimilate them from the small organisms they feed on. While feeding, they can also accumulate elevated concentrations of heavy metals that are contained in miniscule amounts in the smaller organisms. Since microalgae synthesize omega-3s themselves, and do not feed on other organisms, they do not absorb and accumulate heavy metals and thus are much more wholesome.
In summary, microalgae produce long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, and are the only organisms that actually synthesize EPA and DHA, which are the forms of omega-3s that are required by human beings. Microalgae are also the only source of omega-3s that does not also contain toxic heavy metals.
Microalgae can also be used in body care products.
Microalgae are an efficient foliar treatment to improve plant growth. Plants absorb the minerals and nutrients contained in microalgae fertilizer more efficiently and with better growth results compared to other nutrient sources, according to a study conducted by Mahmoud M. Shaaban of the Botany Department, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt (Journal of Biological Sciences 4(6):628-632, 2001).
NutrOcean’s microalgae are also used in the production of horticultural products.
