NCKU Researchers Won European Prestigious Award by Harvesting DHA from Algae
Michelle, Press Office
Oct. 17
The renowned research group led by Professor Huey-Lang Yang (楊惠郎) of the NCKU Institute of Biotechnology has won the Best Poster Award with topic “Isolation and characterization of Taiwanese Thraustochytrid species: screening of strains for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) production.” in the conference of Aquaculture Europe 2008, which is deemed as the notable annual conference hosted by the Polish Fisheries Association at Krakow, Poland in this September.
According to Dr. I-Min Chen (陳逸民), an assistant professor and co-leader of the project, what the NCKU research group found is to develop a novel method that extracts pollution-free docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) from an indigenous algal species that could revolutionize the way the nutritional supplement is produced commercially. “Indeed, the contamination, such as alkyl mercury and dioxins, commonly found with DHA production stimulated us to search for new ways to produce DHA”, added the Professor I-Min Chen (陳逸民).
DHA is normally derived from fish and shellfish, but minute quantities of toxins — such as methyl mercury or dioxins — may migrate from the fish to the DHA, a common additive used in foods and animal feed.
Dr. Huey-Lang Yang (楊惠郎), Distinguished Professor at the NCKU Institute of Biotechnology, said that the results have proved the algae could produce DHA in sufficient quantities and without man-made pollutants, indicating its potential as a food ingredient and adding that several local biotech companies had shown their interests in the process and in applying the method to mass production.
DHA is a food supplement that might reduce the risk of heart disease or mitigates deficiencies of the acid that may lead to diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Abstract of Poster
Twenty-six marine microbes identified as Traustochytrids (marine protists) were isolated from coastal area of Taiwan. They were screened in this research for DHA production potential according to their biomass, crude lipid content and fatty acid compositions. Results showed that under standard growth conditions, their biomass can reach to 30 ~ 180 mg L-1, with lipid content ranging from 150 to 600 mg g-1. Four distinct clusters of fatty acid profiles were discerned, with DHA comprising 15% ~ 58% of total fatty acids.
An Aplanochytrium yorkensis strain BL-10 was regarded as an ideal candidate for DHA production due to its high biomass and DHA content compared with other strains. The optimal fermentation conditions of the strain for DHA production are under investigation.
About Aquaculture Europe 2008
The theme of Aquaculture Europe 2008 (AE2008), Resource Management, addresses the natural, human and material resources for the sustainable development of aquaculture. The AE2008 Thematic Sessions included presentations from 5 well-known speakers, each addressing key questions related to our management of resources. The AE2008 trade exhibition showed new products and services presented by 80 exhibitors, mostly suppliers to the sector. It was the first time that EAS had organized the Aquaculture Europe exhibition using its own resources, and it was considered a success. In addition to the conference and exhibition, participants had the opportunity to take part in workshops organized by the EAS Student Group, the EAS Thematic Group on Eels and the EU project FASTFISH. Furthermore, the annual meeting of the AQUA-TNET network was held just after the conference, on Friday, September 19. Aquaculture Europe 2008 received kind financial support from the Polish Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Intervet Schering Plough Animal Health, Aller Aqua and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Their support confirmed that this new format Aquaculture Europe event puts the right focus on the partnership between science and industry, which is the principal objective of the European Aquaculture Society.
The exhibition took place at the Krakow Convention Centre, Targi w Krakowie, Krakow, Poland from 15–18 September. The event was hosted by Polskie Towarzystwo Rybackie (the Polish Fisheries Association).
Oct. 17
The renowned research group led by Professor Huey-Lang Yang (楊惠郎) of the NCKU Institute of Biotechnology has won the Best Poster Award with topic “Isolation and characterization of Taiwanese Thraustochytrid species: screening of strains for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) production.” in the conference of Aquaculture Europe 2008, which is deemed as the notable annual conference hosted by the Polish Fisheries Association at Krakow, Poland in this September.
According to Dr. I-Min Chen (陳逸民), an assistant professor and co-leader of the project, what the NCKU research group found is to develop a novel method that extracts pollution-free docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) from an indigenous algal species that could revolutionize the way the nutritional supplement is produced commercially. “Indeed, the contamination, such as alkyl mercury and dioxins, commonly found with DHA production stimulated us to search for new ways to produce DHA”, added the Professor I-Min Chen (陳逸民).
DHA is normally derived from fish and shellfish, but minute quantities of toxins — such as methyl mercury or dioxins — may migrate from the fish to the DHA, a common additive used in foods and animal feed.
Dr. Huey-Lang Yang (楊惠郎), Distinguished Professor at the NCKU Institute of Biotechnology, said that the results have proved the algae could produce DHA in sufficient quantities and without man-made pollutants, indicating its potential as a food ingredient and adding that several local biotech companies had shown their interests in the process and in applying the method to mass production.
DHA is a food supplement that might reduce the risk of heart disease or mitigates deficiencies of the acid that may lead to diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
Abstract of Poster
Twenty-six marine microbes identified as Traustochytrids (marine protists) were isolated from coastal area of Taiwan. They were screened in this research for DHA production potential according to their biomass, crude lipid content and fatty acid compositions. Results showed that under standard growth conditions, their biomass can reach to 30 ~ 180 mg L-1, with lipid content ranging from 150 to 600 mg g-1. Four distinct clusters of fatty acid profiles were discerned, with DHA comprising 15% ~ 58% of total fatty acids.
An Aplanochytrium yorkensis strain BL-10 was regarded as an ideal candidate for DHA production due to its high biomass and DHA content compared with other strains. The optimal fermentation conditions of the strain for DHA production are under investigation.
About Aquaculture Europe 2008
The theme of Aquaculture Europe 2008 (AE2008), Resource Management, addresses the natural, human and material resources for the sustainable development of aquaculture. The AE2008 Thematic Sessions included presentations from 5 well-known speakers, each addressing key questions related to our management of resources. The AE2008 trade exhibition showed new products and services presented by 80 exhibitors, mostly suppliers to the sector. It was the first time that EAS had organized the Aquaculture Europe exhibition using its own resources, and it was considered a success. In addition to the conference and exhibition, participants had the opportunity to take part in workshops organized by the EAS Student Group, the EAS Thematic Group on Eels and the EU project FASTFISH. Furthermore, the annual meeting of the AQUA-TNET network was held just after the conference, on Friday, September 19. Aquaculture Europe 2008 received kind financial support from the Polish Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Intervet Schering Plough Animal Health, Aller Aqua and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Their support confirmed that this new format Aquaculture Europe event puts the right focus on the partnership between science and industry, which is the principal objective of the European Aquaculture Society.
The exhibition took place at the Krakow Convention Centre, Targi w Krakowie, Krakow, Poland from 15–18 September. The event was hosted by Polskie Towarzystwo Rybackie (the Polish Fisheries Association).
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