02 2010
Why fish oils work against diabetes
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have identified the molecular mechanism that makes omega-3 fatty acids so effective in reducing chronic inflammation and insulin resistance.
The discovery could lead to development of a simple dietary remedy for many of the more than 23 million Americans suffering from diabetes and other conditions.
Writing in the advance online edition of the September 3 issue of the journal Cell, Jerrold Olefsky, MD, and colleagues identified a key receptor on macrophages abundantly found in obese body fat. Obesity and diabetes are closely correlated. The scientists say omega-3 fatty acids activate this macrophage receptor, resulting in broad anti-inflammatory effects and improved systemic insulin sensitivity.
25 2010
New Jersey Uses Former Landfill Site for Algae Project
A multimillion-dollar ethanol plant is planned for a former landfill site, but members of the community can get a sneak peak of the technology in action next week. Garden State Ethanol will demonstrate extracting the fuel from algae at a prototype site located on Washington Avenue at the old Gentilini Ford building.
The USDA is scheduled to visit Woodbine next Thursday to present a check for $98,000 to begin to transform the landfill into a production facility that could employ as many as 50 people.
The facility is still more than a year away, which is why the prototype is being used to demonstrate the technology next week. “It’s going to take about a year to get permits for the site approved, and we’ll just move from there,” Mayor William Pikolycky said. When the final facility reaches full production, it’s expected that 25 million gallons of ethanol and 10 million gallons of biodiesel will be produced at the site annually.
17 2010
Chitosan-based, nanoparticle gene-silencing system blocks production of protein involved in formation of ovarian cancer cell tumor
A protein associated with cancer progression when abundant inside of tumors also unexpectedly regulates the creation of new blood vessels that feed the tumor outside, a research team led by scientists at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center reports in the August edition of Cancer Cell.
Using a chitosan-based, nanoparticle gene-silencing system to block production of the protein, researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center inhibited formation of new blood vessel (angiogenesis) to the tumor and caused a steep reduction in tumor burden in a mouse model of ovarian cancer.
Study senior author Anil Sood, M.D., professor in UT MD Anderson’s departments of Gynecologic Oncology and Cancer Biology and co-author Gabriel Lopez-Berestein, M.D., professor in UT MD Anderson’s Department of Experimental Therapeutics, have developed delivery systems that package siRNA with a fatty ball called a liposome to silence specific genes in cancer cells.
“Those systems are quite effective for delivery to tumors and tumor cells but not as effective for delivery to tumor vasculature,” Sood said. They jointly developed a new delivery system that packages siRNA into chitosan nanoparticles. Chitosan is derived from a chitin, a structural component in the shells of crustaceans.
Chitosan nanoparticles carry a slight positive electrical charge, making them attractive to the mostly negatively charged endothelial cells. The nanoparticles penetrate the tumor by way of its vasculature, so the new system hits both targets.
The nanoparticles accumulate in the cancer cell and vasculature passively as they circulate in the blood stream. Chitosan nanoparticles are so small that they can flow through tiny holes in the tumor vasculature. They also accumulate in other organs, so the researchers are working to add a targeting molecule that will limit nanoparticle uptake to tumors and their vasculature.
17 2010
Daily supplements of astaxanthin may improve HDL ‘good’ cholesterol levels, suggests new data from a human trial
Doses up to 18 milligrams per day for 12 weeks improved blood levels of HDL cholesterol, as well as adiponectin concentrations, a protein hormone linked to various metabolic processes, according to findings published in Atherosclerosis.
Researchers from Jikei University Kashiwa Hospital in Japan and Fuji Chemical Industry used Fuji’s commercially available AstaReal astaxanthin ingredient, and the trial involved 61 non-obese people with mildly elevated triglyceride levels.
According to the researchers, the potential benefits of astaxanthin with regards to HDL cholesterol and triglycerides have been demonstrated previously in animal studies, but supporting data from humans have been lacking.
17 2010
International Seafood & Health Conference & Exhibition – Australia, November 6 – 10, 2010
It is important to understand that this is not a fisheries conference, it is a health conference, but one where the participants all share a common interest and will communicate information about the very latest medical research into all health aspects of the benefits of seafood. New discoveries and a deeper understanding of the health benefits of seafood are occurring at a rapid rate and this conference will highlight the very latest information available.
It is anticipated to attract up to 1,000 participants made up of the world’s leading health researchers, environmental researchers, medical practitioners, nutrition educators and policy-makers, probably some 50 or more countries will be represented, from the Americas and Europe to Asia and the South Pacific.
The conference will be supported by a Trade display of industry, scientific and health/environment exhibitors to ensure the attendees leave with the very latest knowledge in all these important areas. The conference program will embrace the public health and wellbeing by seeking presenters to deliver the latest development of these types of subjects: Obesity, Child Nutrition, Brain Nutrition, Health Benefits of Fish Consumption, Nutrition and Public Health, The role of fish and seafood in human cognitive development, Diabetes, Heart Health, education issues in nutrition and public health, and importantly Sustainability of Fisheries Resources and the future of aquaculture.
17 2010
Algae Aviation Fuel Sales Powdered Algae Jet Fuel to U.S. Air Force
Algae Aviation Fuel from CCA is Proud to Announce Initial Sale of Powdered Algae Jet Fuel to the United States Air Force Research Laboratory. An undisclosed amount of powdered algae fuel will be evaluated as a solid fuel propellant for aviation use.
Compact Contractors for America (CCA), a Southern Utah-based company has developed a dry process biofuel from algae, camelina seed, and other non-fossil fuel sources. Dry process biofuels are essentially powders that can be fluidized and combusted in jet turbine engines.
16 2010
Portland, Maine’s Ocean Approved Seaweed Products begins further expansion
Like so many entrepreneurial ventures with food products, Ocean Approved frozen seaweed started with a pot simmering on a kitchen stove. Now, with a $95,000 NOAA Small Business Innovation Research Program Phase I Grant and an experimental lease to raise seaweed near Little Chebeague Island, the first lease of its kind in the U.S., the company, which has grown steadily since its inception, is poised to move towards large-scale commercial production of seaweed.
In the first year of business, Tolleff Olson, the company’s founder, did all the work, gathering, processing and marketing. Two years ago, he was joined by business partner Paul Dobbins, who runs the office. According to Dobbins, Olsen is “the visionary” and does everything else. They now have 10 part-time employees.
During the past year, sales have more than doubled. At first, Olsen sold the seaweed products to four Portland stores; that has increased to 17 Whole Foods Markets and 72 specialty and natural foods stores, including two venues in Los Angeles. In June, as a result of contacts made while serving their seaweed at the NOAA Fish Fry for NOAA employees and guests in Washington, D.C., Ocean Approved gained orders from a chain of natural food stores in the D.C. area.
16 2010
Seaweed Company in Stornoway has won the Crown Estates Marine Business Award for seaweed venture, creating nearly 40 jobs in the Isle of Lewis in five years
The Hebridean Seaweed Company in Stornoway has won the Crown Estates Marine Business Award for a venture that has created nearly 40 jobs in the Isle of Lewis in just five years. The company has agreements in place with the Crown Estate, which owns 70% of Britain’s coastline, and local private estates to exclusively harvest seaweed throughout the Western Isles.
It also works closely with Scottish Natural Heritage to ensure the seaweed harvesting is sustainable and environmentally friendly.The company employs eight people in its factory, although a further 36 jobs have been created in harvesting and hauling the crop. The end product is utilised in a variety of ways ranging from soil enhancement to shampoos, soaps, and body washes.
16 2010
Seaweed-derived products from NZ Biotech company building sales in overseas markets
Nemidon, a NZ company that makes a range of gels derived from seaweed, including moisturiser, treatments for sports injuries, muscle aches and joint pain, is growing its overseas markets.
Ninety per cent of its products are exported and those overseas sales got a boost more than 10 years ago when founder Margaret Holloway took Nemidon’s gel on a marketing trip to a United States triathlon trade show. Offering it to a visitor proved to be a good move – he turned out to be a member of the US Olympic committee.
“The visitor who came to our booth used the gel and was impressed by its qualities. He then asked if we would be prepared to put the gel up for the US market,” Hollway said.
“What that has done for us is given us the credibility we needed early on to tackle our global push, as well as the credibility to enter the Aussie market.”
Nemidon’s gels are formulated using a seaweed extract that acts as a carrier delivering the active ingredients needed for rehabilitation of the skin.
16 2010
Cyanotech reports steady Q1 2011 for both its spirulina and astaxanthin products
The Hawaiian healthy algae specialist has reported revenues of $3,856,000 for the quarter ended 30 June, compared to $4,021,000 for the same period last year. Gross profit margin remained at 43 per cent, and gross profit was $1657,000, down slightly from $1733,000.
Its sales have been fairly evenly split between its two main products, spirulina (accounting for 51 percent of revenues) and astaxanthin (49 percent).
The company has been shifting its emphasis onto its consumer products, sold under its Nutrex Hawaii brand, and is aiming to introduce them to a broader consumer base than previously.
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