Periodic Reporting for period 1 - FUCOPRO (Fucoxanthin production from microalgae Isochrysis galbana - a solution to solve the global obesity)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2018-12-01 do 2019-03-31
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.
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.
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.
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.
The feasibility study confirms the inital business plan and foreseen impacts and will lead to a submission of a stage 2 SME application.