Fucoxanthin production from microalgae Isochrysis galbana - a solution to solve the global obesity

Informazioni relative al progetto

FUCOPRO

ID dell’accordo di sovvenzione: 836451

DOI

10.3030/836451

Progetto chiuso

Data della firma CE 30 Novembre 2018

Data di avvio 1 Dicembre 2018

Data di completamento 31 Marzo 2019

Finanziato da

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Costo totale

€ 71 429,00

Contributo UE

€ 50 000,00

Coordinato da

ALGALIF ICELAND EHF
Iceland

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - FUCOPRO (Fucoxanthin production from microalgae Isochrysis galbana - a solution to solve the global obesity)

Periodo di rendicontazione: 2018-12-01 al 2019-03-31

Sintesi del contesto e degli obiettivi generali del progetto

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions. In 2016, more than 1.9 billion adults worldwide were overweight, thereof 650 million obese. Weight problems within the EU are increasing rapidly, in 2014, more than 50% of the EU´s population were overweight. An estimate of the direct cost of weight problems exceeded €70 billion annually in the EU, which accounts for roughly 7% of the national healthcare expenditure of individual countries. Current solutions are not working, so new avenues must be explored.
The microalgae-derived fucoxanthin produced by Algalíf Iceland is expected to be able to modulate specific gene- and protein expression, which prevents excess fat accumulation and consequently obesity and associated diseases, such as type 2 diabetes. These effects are well documented, but current methods of harvesting from brown seaweed (macroalgae) hinder market growth.

Algalíf´s solution to the problem, comes through cultivation of microalgae and commercial production of fucoxanthin for weight loss products. Through current production of astaxanthin, Algalíf has developed a niche in the global microalgae arena in optimising cultivation parameters. The indoor, photobioreactor (PBR) cultivation systems at Algalíf, with full contamination control and no supply disruptions, ensure optimal growth of microalgae. Currently, it delivers the highest industry reported yield of a pure product (7%) for astaxanthin. This sustainable cultivation method will be adapted to the commercial-scale production of fucoxanthin. This will diversify the production and enable Algalíf to reach markets currently mainly served from not very stable products derived from macroalgae.

Lavoro eseguito dall’inizio del progetto fino alla fine del periodo coperto dalla relazione e principali risultati finora ottenuti

The FUCOPRO project is a SME phase one project that had a four months duration to perform a feasibility analysis for continuing the work on developing fucoxanthin products from microalgea as the most effective natural product to combat obesity.
The feasibility study was completed successfully and we plan to take further technical and commercial steps required to achieve full product optimisation, conduct pre-clinical trials, extend market presence in B2B markets, and penetrate B2C markets through a SME phase 2 project.

At this stage in the development we are not able to openly disseminate or communicate much due to competitive issues and confidentiality needed to protect intellectual ownership and maintain our position on the market.

Progressi oltre lo stato dell’arte e potenziale impatto previsto (incluso l’impatto socioeconomico e le implicazioni sociali più ampie del progetto fino ad ora)

The feasibility study confirms the inital business plan and foreseen impacts and will lead to a submission of a stage 2 SME application.

State of art Photo Bio-Reactor system in use at Algalif Iceland

Algalíf's production process for Astaxanthin