Filed in archive
Food and Agriculture
by ruth on August 14, 2006
A start-up biotech company from South Africa, Cape Carotene, has received funding from Cape Biotech to develop technologies to produce astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant and dietary supplement used in aquaculture, from algae. According to a report in the Cape Business News:
Although Cape Carotene's immediate target is to export the naturally produced astaxanthin to European fish and feed industries, the company also plan to develop it as a nutraceutical for human consumption. Because of its antioxidative properties, much research has been done on the possible benefits of antixanthin in age-related macular Degeneration, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and even cancer.
The algae will be grown in small, shallow ponds for a short period. The algal strain has been derived from fresh water culture collections which has been adapted for commercial use. Once grown, the algae will be 'stressed' by changing the growth conditions which induces it to synthesize astaxanthin. Astaxanthin is produced by the cells as a secondary metabolite, which is only found in a specific cell state. The algal cells are then harvested and processed.
Although Cape Carotene's immediate target is to export the naturally produced astaxanthin to European fish and feed industries, the company also plan to develop it as a nutraceutical for human consumption. Because of its antioxidative properties, much research has been done on the possible benefits of antixanthin in age-related macular Degeneration, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and even cancer.
Trackback: http://publish.creative-weblogging.com/publish/mt-tb.pl/31890
Mr Wong
Vote for Cape Carotene To Produce Astaxanthin From Algae:
|
Rating: 9.00 out of 5 vote(s) cast.
|
Response from:
Joe Chang
(08/23/06 1:58am)
Subscribe
Use the search to look for other interesting posts
| RSS | See all blog subscribe options |
|
What is RSS? | |
| Yahoo! |
|
| Addthis |
|
| Bloglines |
|
| Newsletter | |
| Follow us on Twitter! |








Haematococcus pluvialis is in the form of 3S,3'S. And, it is the strongest antioxicant found in the nature, and can not be sythetized by animals.
I am an FPA-SAFE auditor. And, knowing Haematococcus pluvialis are supllied only by quiet a few companies in the world. If you are interested in the natural astaxanthin(1.5%,2.5%), which is guranttee by China National Lab on Reference Materials of Natural Products, please let me know.
Best regards
Joe Chang