Company insight
A sustainable and ethical source of omega-3
In an increasingly health-conscious world, it is essential that people consume the right vitamins, nutrients and healthy acids – including omega-3. Industrial biotechnology company Fermentalg provides natural microalgae health products that offer ethical and environmental solutions for consumers, using a unique strain of microalgae.
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mega-3 essential fatty acids are vital for the human body to function correctly. They cannot be made by our bodies and must therefore be sourced from the food we eat. These omega-3s include the plant-derived alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) that can be obtained from several plant sources, including flaxseed oil. The conversion rate of ALA as a precursor into functionally active eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is low, and this is particularly true of DHA. This is therefore considered essential, while EPA is considered conditionally essential. It is well recognised that EPA and DHA have important functions in cardiovascular, ocular and cognitive health throughout life, from the pre- and post-natal periods through to old age.
These molecules are also involved in the prevention of inflammatory, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disease. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is the subject of European claims (EFSA: European Food Safety Agency) relating to cognitive, cardiovascular and vision health.
Responding to consumer demand Consumers who want to live well and look after their health are increasingly taking environmental protection issues into consideration. For many, this often means seeking vegan alternatives to the traditional vitamins and minerals they consume on a daily basis.
These consumers are seeking, among other things, natural active ingredients, traceability of the production chain, product source information, GMO-free ingredients, animal welfare guarantees, information on manufacturing processes and quality assurance. Fermentalg aims to meet these
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various pollutants. Fermentalg products therefore place a greater emphasis on ethics and environmentalism.
Microalgae innovation
Fermentalg uses microalgae to develop a healthy, vegan version of omega-3.
high expectations from consumers, laboratories and dietary supplement manufacturers – in addition to the nutritional requirements in the agri-food industry – by supplying natural microalgae health products. These include vegan DHA produced using methods that avoid harsh processes and preserve the native aspect and properties of the active ingredients.
A sustainable source of omega-3 Right at the base of the food chain, microalgae naturally synthesised lipids are found – including EPA and DHA. These microorganisms are subsequently ingested by zooplankton, which are a staple in the diet of many species of fish. As a result, the flesh of oily fish such as salmon, anchovies, sardines, tuna and other species is naturally rich in omega-3 oils. Plant-based DHA is therefore the best way to ensure consumption of ultra-pure omega-3 without the risk of heavy metals, allergens, or any of the
Fermentalg is an industrial biotechnology company specialising in the production of ingredients from microalgaes. It has officially registered several patents to protect its know-how. Fermentalg has selected a strain of microalgae called Schizochytrium sp. that produces vegan DHA naturally – over 90% of which is in the form of triglycerides (TG). It’s one of the very few companies that is able to produce an oil with a minimum concentration of 550mg/g DHA (as fatty acid) without any chemical or mechanical concentration step. This is in direct contrast to ethyl esters (EE) or the re-esterified triglyceride form (rTG), which are synthetic forms. The trigliceride form, considered to be a natural form of polyunsaturated fatty acids, is more bioavailable than the ethyl ester form.
Solution by fermentation The industrial fermentation procedure to grow this microorganism takes place in Europe in large, sealed, sterile, above- ground bioreactors. Using a solvent-free extraction-separation process, the lipids contained in the cells can then be released. Thanks to the natural ability of the cells to duplicate themselves, only one specimen needs to be taken from the natural environment to produce DHA-rich oils indefinitely. Fermentalg products have virtually zero impact on the biosphere and ensure the protection of precious marine resources. ●
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