Feb
12 2010

Six-day conference on marine biotechnology held in Italy, June 2010

A six-day conference on marine biotechnology will be held in Acquafredda di Maratea, Italy from 20 to 25 June 2010.

This conference is designed to promote scientific excellence in marine biotechnology, give a platform for leading scientists and young researchers to present their work and discuss the future of the field in Europe. Organised around seven-half day sessions, event topics will include:
- algae and seaweed biomass;
- aquaculture;
- bioprospecting;
- human and environmental health;
- enzymes;
- marine bionanotechnology and biomaterials;
- marine models;
- pollution and bioremediation;
- bioinformatics and research infrastructures

More info

From Issue 9 • Categories: Tags: aquaculture, conference, marine bioprospecting, marine biotechnology, marine drugs, marine enzymes, marine extract, marine ingredients, marine natural product, nutraceutical, seafood byproducts, seaweed, technology • No Comments

Nov
18 2009

Shrimp discards purify blackwater in Brazil

A team of scientists at the University of South Santa Catarina (Unisul) have discovered that shrimp heads, which are normally discarded by consumers, have large numbers of efficient enzymes to treat blackwater and industrial waste.

According to the experts of the Group of the Investigation of Enzymatic Catalysis and Organic Synthesis of Unisul, these enzymes are capable of absorbing the toxic substances in contaminated water.

The investigators verified that the shrimp heads and other parts of the shell are rich in oxidising enzymes and lipases, which can be used as an alternative to degrade contaminants in domestic and industrial blackwater, reports Ciencia Hoje.

More info

From Issue 8 • Categories: Tags: marine enzymes, seafood byproducts • No Comments

Oct
16 2009

Swedish Personal Care R&D Company Aggressively Expanding Marine Based Patent Portfolio

As the market and interest for all natural marine based bioactives continiue to grow, the Swedish personal care research and development company Zona Nordic AB is looking to build on this momentum and take the position as a technology leader in the market place.

The company is working within marine biotechnology, using patented marine enzymes, proteins and biopolymers in their two skin care brands, Z Skin Repair and Kilda Skindiver.

The company has an aggressive patent strategy to develop multiple use patents based on the application of biomolecules present in the hatching liquid from salmon eggs. The active principles in the liquid are not only restricted to proteases, but also include lectins, peptides, proteins, carbohydrates, protein- and carbohydrate biopolymers and lipids. During the last year, Zona Nordic AB has tested two new formulations based on the above mentioned technology.

More info

From Issue 8 • Categories: Tags: cosmetics, marine enzymes • 1 Comment

Jun
17 2009

Newly Established Biotec Marine Biochemicals Subsidiary for Marine Enzymes

Biotec Pharmacon ASA has moved all its enzyme activities into Biotec Marine Biochemicals AS and hired Jan Buch Andersen as Managing Director of the newly established subsidiary. The target is to strengthen the development of the marine enzymes business, which in 2009 is expected to generate revenue of approximately NOK 15 million with an EBITDA margin of 40%. New products and new applications for the company’s enzymes are expected to form the basis for strong growth in the coming year.

More info

From Issue 5 • Categories: Tags: marine enzymes • No Comments

Feb
11 2008

Deep Sea Treatment for Superbug Holds Promise, Yet Still Poses Challenges.

A group of United Kingdom scientists recently discovered a bacterium found in Japanese seabeds with the ability to kill MRSA. The new species produces a unique antibiotic that has the potential for treating humans. William Fenical, a pioneer of marine microbiology at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, supports that scientists need to look elsewhere to discover new antibiotics with new structure types because they aren’t finding enough new breakthroughs on land. However, finding enough money to support this research could prove challenging

The search for an antibiotic on the bottom of the ocean makes sense because sea-dwelling microorganisms haven’t come into contact with disease-forming bacteria on land. Special living conditions and functions within the ocean’s ecosystem force them to produce a vast number of enzymes that have potential therapeutic benefits to humans.

More Info

From Issue 2 • Categories: Tags: marine bioprospecting, marine drugs, marine enzymes, marine extract, marine ingredients • No Comments

Jan
11 2008

New Marine-based Enzyme Launched to Rejuvenate Skin

The Norwegian marine biotechnology company, Aqua Bio Technology AS (ABT), has recently introduced an all-natural, marine-based enzyme to the global cosmetics and cosmeceutical ingredient market. Discovered in the Norwegian waters by coincidence, the now patented enzyme, ZONASE, is now creating buzz in the global skin care market.

Research revealed that the same enzyme that degrades a fish egg shell during the fish hatching process can also be used to rejuvenate skin. According to Mr. Einar Vangsnes, CEO of Aqua Bio Technology AS,”ZONASE is an all natural, non-toxic enzyme which is perfectly suited and highly effective for skin care applications”. ZONASE has proven completely safe and highly effective in a range of applications. By removing dead skin cells, and not harming living cells, ZONASE has successfully been formulated into anti-aging, skin repair and even eczema and psoriasis applications.

Aqua Bio Technology AS has hired Strategro International, LLC to help launch ZONASE into the North American cosmeceutical market.

More Information

From Issue 1 • Categories: Tags: cosmetics, marine enzymes • No Comments