Harnessing microalgae for omega 3s: Xiaozao Technology taps marine resources rich in EPA

22 Jul 2022 --- As the availability of omega 3 fatty acids appear to be threatened by declining and static fish populations and climate change, Xiaozao Technology aims to utilize a new platform to produce and process microalgae for eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).

After landing Food Safety and Quality Management Certifications for its facilities in Guangxi, China, NutritionInsight speaks to the company’s vice president of marketing and sales, Greg Remy, on the market drivers for microalgae as a source of omega 3s. 

“We are stepping around the fish, staying out of the oceans, and going direct to microalgae, the natural, original source for EPA,” underscores Remy. “Our approach benefits our oceans, atmosphere, and climate while reducing pressure on all sea life, yielding an environmentally sustainable renewable source of EPA that is also uniquely plant-based.”

“The next step for us is to educate the marketplace on the benefits and importance of getting their omega 3s direct from microalgae and to expand our farm’s capacity.”

An approach which “makes sense”
The facility’s main function is to produce and process Nannochloropsis sp., a type of microalgae, to extract the essential omega 3 fatty acids and EPA. 

The importance of producing renewable and environmentally sustainable forms of omega 3s is ever-increasing.EPA has been shown to be a key nutrient for cardiovascular health and brain development, as well as supporting eye health and immunity and which the EU has noted as lacking in most diets.

EPA is largely acquired via the consumption of fish or through supplements. However, the company notes that fish do not produce these fatty acids. They are produced by the microalgae that the fish eat, and acquired by humans via those fish.

“EPA is an essential nutrient for animal health and, as the population on earth grows, the demand for marine resources rich in EPA also grows,” he explains. “We are already at a point where the seas can no longer sustainably meet this demand. Farming algae for the direct production of EPA makes great sense now and will more so with every passing year.”

Opening the door for new markets
The new facility uses purified CO2 gas, sunlight and purified seawater to cultivate the microalgae. The FSSC22000, ISO 22000:2018 and ISO9001:2015 certifications cover the commercial-scale breeding and cultivation of Nannochloropsis sp., as well as the downstream extraction process.

“These certifications represent a significant milestone being met in our growth and development as a start-up company,” states Remy. “Further, such certifications are required for our products’ acceptance in most every market segment. In this sense, they are both an accolade and a door opener.”

The company's primary focus is the microalgae's abundance of  EPA, which some climate experts say is becoming less available due to effects of global warming, the biotechnology company notes that the biomass that remains after oil extraction is almost 70% protein and can be used to supplement protein in vegan food products.

“EPA direct from microalgae is the most beneficial of all because it is presented as polar lipids,” stresses Remy. “When fish consume algae and process EPA, it is converted to a less bioavailable storage form. So, getting EPA directly from algae is better for consumers and of course, better for the fish.”

By William Bradford Nichols