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Nofima Scientists Develop Biodegradable Food Packaging Made of Chitin & Chitosan from Shrimp Shell
Posted On: May 22, 2013Scientists at Nofima are participating in a major EU-financed project in which “active” packaging based on raw materials from shrimp shell improves and conserves food products – and after use the packaging biodegrades. Environmentally stubborn plastic is getting competition from biodegradable packaging made of chitin and chitosan from shrimp shell.
Nofima’s part of the project equates to around NOK 1 million over a two-year period. Together with the coordinator, Italian company Mavi, the majority of the project involves four medium-sized companies in EU and three research centres.
“Our job is to ensure food contact safety in the project and quantify the effect on bacteria. Chitosan used as an integrated part of the packaging can have an antibacterial effect on the food products,” says Morten Sivertsvik, Director of Research at Nofima’s department for Processing Technology in Stavanger.
“The EU has strict regulations in this area, and our role is to see that the active packaging have a positive and not negative impact on the food products. The chitosan-based fibres that are used in the packaging are based on nanotechnology, so we are talking about minute particles that by no means have to break down so they come in the food products.”
Sivertsvik has worked on packaging technology at Nofima, Europe’s largest food research institute, since 1992.
Supreme Biotechnologies launches new joint care product based on Astaxanthin and Omega-3
Posted On: May 22, 2013Supreme Biotechnologies, producers of AstaSupreme Astaxanthin, have launched a unique formula which combines Astaxanthin, Curcumin and Omega 3.
Supreme Biotechnologies CEO Tony Dowd says the new product is designed specifically to target inflammation in sore joints and tendons, by combining three ingredients that have been clinically validated as natural anti-inflammatory agents.
“Many people suffering from painful inflamed joints often take Astaxanthin, Curcumin and Omega 3 separately,” Dowd says. “So, we worked with a natural health consultant to combine the right quantities of each of these three ingredients, to create a powerhouse formula for painful joints.
SeaQuarius launches marine-based skin care line
Posted On: April 3, 2013SeaQuarius LLC began sales operations Jan. 1,st 2013 after a lengthy formulation and research cycle with multiple cosmetic houses.
SeaQuarius LLC specializes in formulating marine themed skincare products, which incorporates effective ocean derived compounds, to bring nourishment and vitality to the skin. Their products are reported to go to work deep within the skin to protect and nourish. Potent antioxidants from special seaweeds and algae are a cornerstone of our Sea Cream Protection product. Micro ionic rich seawater, from the far reaches of the Atlantic Ocean, is the base ingredient in our purifying Sea Clean Wash. Extracts from special red and green seaweeds provide naturally occurring polypeptides in our Sea Serum.
The final outcome is less wrinkled, rejuvenated, firmer and better moisturized skin. Components and ingredient suppliers all operate in an environmentally friendly and ecologically sound manner.
2012 the breakthrough year for Aqua Bio Technology
Posted On: February 24, 2013ABT recently announced its 2012 financial results. The Company had its commercial breakthrough in 2012 and posted revenues of NOK 20.3 million for the year. ABT’s revenues the year before were NOK 0.5 million.
Contracts with two US based customers are the main reason for the commercial success. Aqua Bio Technology’s lead ingredient Aquabeautine XL™ is now included in new skincare products being widely marketed.
Aqua Bio Technology’s EBITDA for 2012 ended at NOK 8.0 million, compared to NOK -8.1 million in 2011. The company’s net result for the year was NOK 0.9 million, against NOK -13.5 the previous year.
For the fourth quarter alone, ABT posted revenues of NOK 3.4 million and an EBITDA of NOK 0.2 million. Net result for the fourth quarter was NOK -2.7 million.
The contracts secure ABT total revenues of more than NOK 120 million in the period 2012-2017, in the form of exclusivity and minimum royalty payments for Aquabeautine XL™. Product sales are expected to provide additional revenues.
Fish bones’ second life
Posted On: January 15, 2013A new project is exploring means of turning fish waste into value-added products such as neutraceuticals while attempting to make fisheries a greener industry in developing countries.
Only about 50% of every fish sold as fillet is actually eaten. Often, fish heads, viscera, skin and bones are discarded. In this context, the SECUREFISH project, funded by the EU, aims at reducing the post-harvest waste in the fisheries sector while improving the overall environmental friendliness of fish processing in developing countries. “We use the waste products that include fish skin and bones and process the proteins through hydrolysis into bioactive peptides,” explains project co-ordinator Nazlin Howell, Professor of Food Biochemistry, University of Surrey, Guilford, UK.
Scientists have discovered that some of the bioactive peptides isolated from fish waste exhibit an activity akin to that of a class of blood pressure lowering drugs called ACE inhibitors. Others also exhibit antioxidant properties and might reduce reactive oxygen species in cells. Such activity could have implications for cardiovascular disease and cancer prevention. Howell tells youris.com “[these] could be put into [food] products such as yoghurt and milk drinks” due to their potential health benefits.
Marine biotechnology advances towards applications in new functional foods
Posted On: November 19, 2012The marine ecosystem is still an untapped reservoir of biologically active compounds, which have considerable potential to supply food ingredients towards development of new functional foods. With the goal of increasing the availability and chemical diversity of functional marine ingredients, much research has been developed using biotechnological tools to discover and produce new compounds.
This review summarizes the advances in biotechnological tools for production of functional ingredients, including enzymes, for the food industry. Tools involving biotechnological processes (bioreactors, fermentations, bioprocessing) and those involving genetic research designated as molecular biotechnology are discussed highlighting how they can be used in the controlled manipulation and utilization of marine organisms as sources of food ingredients, as well as discussing the most relevant shortcomings towards applications in new functional foods.
MOLECULAR COSMETICS & MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY AT IN-COSMETICS ASIA
Posted On: November 17, 2012LIPOTEC is introducing in Bangkok its novel peptides Delisens™ and Telangyn™ directed at treating skin disorders that characterizes sensitive skin, which are caused by an exaggerated inflammatory response to external stimuli, such as cosmetics allergens. Marine-based HA-booster Hyanify™ is also among its new active ingredients on show at in-cosmetics.
From marine biotechnology through biofermentation, Hyanify™ is an exopolysaccharide with efficacy in boosting the synthesis of hyaluronic acid in the skin, offering an efficient replenishing effect against wrinkles. As show in vivo, nasolabial folds reduced in only 14 days of treatment with 1% Hyanify™ Solution. HA availability decreases with aging, altering the balance between synthesis and degradation, which leads to dehydration of the skin and volume loss. Hyanify™ can have positive impact for potential formulations targeting mature skins, where an efficient anti-wrinkle and replenishing effects are intended.
Cyanotech Reports Financial Results
Posted On: November 17, 2012Cyanotech Corporation, a world leader in microalgae-based, high-value nutrition and health products, including BioAstin® Natural Astaxanthin and Hawaiian Spirulina Pacifica®, has announced financial results for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal year 2013, ended September 30, 2012.
Second Quarter 2013
For the second quarter of fiscal 2013 compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2012, revenues were $6,936,000 compared to $5,989,000, an increase of 16%. Gross profit was $2,812,000, with gross profit margin of 40.5%, compared to gross profit of $2,790,000 and gross profit margin of 46.6%. Net income was $476,000 or $0.08 per diluted share, compared to net income of $875,000 or $0.16 per diluted share.
Aqua Bio Technology banking on new products to drive sales growth
Posted On: August 30, 2012Norwegian firm Aqua Bio Technology has reported a fall in revenue in the second quarter of 2012. The company posted a significant sales increase in the first quarter of the year when two major contracts boosted income to NOK11.9m. However, second quarter income was just NOK0.1m, compared with NOK0.4m in the same period of 2011.
The company, which is responsible for Aquabeautine XL, an anti-ageing skin care ingredient derived from the hatching fluid of salmon, reported sales of NOK12.1m in the first half of the year, a considerable increase compared with sales of NOK0.4m in the prior year period.
The company expects the launch of three new products in September will boost income in the second half of 2012. The products will be launched ahead of schedule – the result of accelerated product development in the second quarter. And based on the current order backlog, ABT forecasts significant sales growth in the second half of 2012 and in coming years.
Bibliographic database for Plymouth Marine Laboratory publications from 2001 – present now available
Posted On: August 6, 2012Host
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