Aquapreneur » Aker Biomarine

Krill Oil shown to aid fat metabolism better than fish oil in recent study

Admin — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 21:39:30 +0000

In a recent Italian study (J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr. 2011 Feb 25. DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0396.2011.01135.x), Krill oil inhibited liver fat production and reduced levels of triglycerides and cholesterol more than fish oil. Rats fed a diet enriched with krill oil experienced more pronounced inhibition of hepatic lipogenesis than rats fed fish oil, at least at short feeding times, and the researchers said the krill oil-fed rats had lower levels of hepatic triglycerides and cholesterol comparison to fish oil-fed rats.

The animals were treated for 6 weeks with diets containing 2.5-percent krill oil or 2.5-percent fish oil, or a control diet without supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids. The activity of three key enzymes in the liver involved in the metabolism of fat was investigated together with blood and liver levels. The study revealed beneficial effects of both omega-3 supplements. The inhibition of the three enzymes was significant with krill oil and fish oil, but the response to krill oil treatment was more pronounced, especially at shorter feeding periods (two to three weeks). The study also revealed fat-lowering effects from the omega-3 supplements and confirmed previous findings that krill oil is effective in reducing liver triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Krill oil reduced liver triglycerides by 20 percent, compared to 10 percent in the fish oil group, whereas the cholesterol levels decreased by 33 percent (krill oil) and 21 percent (fish oil).

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Superba Krill Oil Deemed Safe for Foods

Admin — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 22:58:50 +0000

Aker BioMarine Antarctic announces today that Superba™ Krill Oil has been determined to be safe for use as a human food ingredient by an independent panel of recognized experts. The panel conducted a critical review of extensive safety, toxicology and clinical research data obtained from animal and human testing, based on scientific procedures and safety assessment criteria established by the U.S. FDA. The determination comes from experts qualified by scientific training and is based on Superba™ Krill Oil’s intended use in food.

“Safety is of course the most important factor for food ingredients and this GRAS finding by independent experts is an important validation of Superba’s safety for foods and supplements,” stated Nils Hoem, PhD, Chief Scientist at Aker BioMarine. “The safety of Superba Krill Oil has been exhaustively demonstrated, and this GRAS process is an important step in validating the studies we have conducted on our products. Superba is a minimally processed whole food harvested from the pristine Antarctic waters.”

The high-phospholipid krill ingredients are intended for use as a source of omega-3 fatty acids in a number of food categories including beverages, cereals, cheese, dairy products, and other nutritional foods. The company is actively exploring functional food applications in the U.S. as well as in Europe where Superba™ Krill Oil is recognized as safe under the Novel Foods regulation.

“The health benefits demonstrated by Superba Krill phospholipid EPA & DHA in clinical research will now be available in food applications,” stated Hoem. “Now the superior bio-efficiency, tolerability, and stability provided by krill’s phospholipid omega-3 fatty acids will benefit consumers in convenient food products.”

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Aker BioMarine joins GOED

Admin — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 23:43:10 +0000

Aker BioMarine, has joined the leading marine-sourced omega-3 trade group, the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3 (GOED). Aker hopes GOED membership will aid krill expansion

In a statement Aker noted the momentum the krill sector had gathered in the past three years – although it remains a miniscule section of the overall omega-3 supply – and its expectation that GOED membership could help build this momentum.

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Norwegian Krill Collaboration Could Help Secure EFSA Claims

Admin — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 19:10:06 +0000

Collaboration on research between krill player Aker BioMarine and Norwegian food supplement manufacturer Sana Pharma could boost efforts to achieve positive opinions on health claims from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

The deal between the two companies has resulted in the addition of Aker’s SuperBa omega-3 krill oil to an existing range of Sana Pharma’s food supplements – VitaePro, which also includes ingredients such as astaxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin and Vitamins C, D and E.

The reformulated product has already been debuted in northern European countries.

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Aker BioMarine Adds Sales and Marketing Resources for U.S. Market

Admin — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 22:37:42 +0000

Aker BioMarine Antarctic US Inc. added two new staff members who will concentrate on the North American market. Eric Anderson was named vice president of sales and marketing and Todd Norton was appointed to vice president of new business development.

Anderson was formally Brands Manger at PL Thomas, and Norton was chief operating officer at AM Todd Botanicals. Anderson and Norton are tasked with the responsibility to educate the natural products industry and consumers on the unique health benefits of krill and Aker’s unique Eco-Harvesting™ practices.

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New Aker JV to acquire EPAX in €70 million deal

Admin — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 22:43:49 +0000

Newly formed Trygg Pharma – a joint venture between krill player Aker BioMarine and New York-based private investment firm Lindsay Goldberg – has agreed to pay NOK 561 million (€71.2 million) for the Epax shares. Trygg will also assume the net interest bearing debt of Epax, which was NOK 314 million (€39.8 million) as of 31 December 2009.

The transaction – subject to the customary closing conditions – is expected to close in the final quarter of 2010, said the companies.

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Aker Biomarine’s Krill Fisheries Receives Marine Stewardship Council Certification

Admin — Wed, 26 May 2010 16:36:47 +0000

Aker BioMarine has today received confirmation that its krill fisheries will be certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), an independent, global, non-profit organization that works to promote the best choices in sustainable seafood.

In future purchases of Aker BioMarine’s Superba(tm) and Qrill(tm) products, consumers can be assured that their Omega-3 rich krill products are harvested in an environmentally sustainable way.

MSC’s fishery certification program contributes to the health of the world’s oceans by recognizing and rewarding sustainable fishing practices, influencing the choices people make when buying seafood and working with partners to transform the seafood market to a sustainable basis. The MSC certification is a visible demonstration of Aker BioMarine’s long term commitment to the environment.

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Aker BioMarine signs first agreement for Superba Krill in Asia

Admin — Tue, 04 May 2010 19:31:59 +0000

Aker BioMarine has signed a distributor agreement with Compson Trade Co., Ltd for the Taiwanese market. This is the first step into the Asian market for Superba Krill and a milestone for Aker BioMarine.

“We are proud to work with a company like Compson Trade, and they have so far impressed us with their ambitions, dedication and high level of competence”, says Matts Johansen, Executive Vice President in Aker BioMarine.

Compson Trade was founded 15 years ago by Charlie Wu, and has through it’s focus on marketing, innovation, quality and customer service, grown to the leading supplier of dietary and pharmaceutical material in Taiwan. Aker BioMarine’s Superba Krill will with its new agreement have the best possible position to have success in Tawian.

Norwegian Aker agrees to expand loan to Aker BioMarine by NOK 20 million

Admin — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 22:30:18 +0000

Norwegian biotechnology company Aker BioMarine ASA (OSL: AKBM) said it agreed today with its main owner, industrial holding Aker ASA (OSL:AKER), to expand the short-term loan from it with NOK20m.

In September 2009, Aker BioMarine said it will borrow up to NOK90m from Aker. The company would initially get a loan of up to NOK50m and the remainder would be made available when it had presented a refinancing plan and got it approved by Aker.

Since then, Aker BioMarine has had a positive development with sales growth and a good start to the fishing season, which, however, has led to a need for an increased working capital.

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