Algatechnologies, part of Solabia Group, has announced that it has tripled its production capacity for FucoVitalTM. The action follows increased demand from the dietary supplements market. FucoVital was launched in the US in 2018.
Algatech’s Fucovital proprietary fucoxanthin oleoresin is the world’s first microalgae derived extract standardised to 3% fucoxanthin, plus naturally occurring omega-3’s (EPA) and other beneficial fatty acids. Fucoxanthin is an orange-brown carotenoid that plays a part in photosynthesis. Studies have demonstrated that Algatech’s unique fucoxanthin complex has greater potency in support of liver health than fucoxanthin from seaweed.
FucoVital is the only fucoxanthin extract with a New Dietary Ingredient Notification (NDIN) for dietary supplements. Its innovative composition is derived from a unique strain of Phaeodactylum tricornutum microalgae. This type of microalgae is a naturally rich source of fucoxanthin and compounds such as omega-3’s (EPA) and other beneficial fatty acids.
“Tripling our Fucovital production, is a significant step forward in meeting the growing demand for this powerful natural ingredient and realising Algatech’s vision to fully utilise the most primal plant in nature, microalgae, toward improving the health and well-being of people around the world. This wonder ingredient can help support two of the most important health concerns in the world, liver health and metabolic function,” said Doron Safrai, CEO of Algatech.
Liver health is one of the most serious modern health issues today.1 Much of the concern focuses on the unwanted build-up of fat deposits in the liver from sources other than alcohol abuse, a condition is known as non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL). It is commonly associated with obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and polycystic ovary syndrome. It is estimated that one in four people around the world have some sort of NAFL, while in the US up to 100 million people may have fatty livers.2
A recent study on FucoVital, using an in vitro model of non-alcoholic fatty liver, was conducted by Joseph Tam, PhD, head of the Obesity and Metabolism Laboratory and director of the Multidisciplinary Center for Cannabinoid Research, Faculty of Medicine, at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Results showed Algatech’s FucoVital to be much more potent than Silymarin, a milk thistle extract.
“As part of our efforts to increase the value to our customers, Algatech is launching a clinical study in the US with FucoVital and will continue to expand the science beyond this promising ingredient furthermore,” added Doron Delouya, the company’s VP of business development.
Fucoxanthin extracted from seaweed has been sold in the US and Asia as a dietary supplement for many years. But seaweed as source contains a very small amount (about 0.01%) of fucoxanthin and its cultivation is often conducted in a non-controlled environment, allowing exposure to heavy metals and other contaminants. The seaweed-derived process is not considered sustainable or efficient, which also increases costs significantly. As the world’s first microalgae-derived fucoxanthin extract, Algatech’s Fucovital fucoxanthin oleoresin overcomes all of these shortcomings.
To guarantee a high purity level as well as high yield in the cultivation process, Algatech applied a modified version of its proprietary, state-of-the-art, photobioreactor technology. Cultivated in a closed and controlled environment under the abundant sunshine of Israel’s Arava desert, FucoVital can be grown year-round and is not dependent on seasonal fluctuations. Algatech’s production facility relies on power generated by the adjacent solar panel farm and uses a strict water recapture and recycling platform.
Algatech has recently announced the appointment of Mr Doron Safrai as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company. Mr Safrai will replace Mr Hagai Stadler, who has been leading the company for the last few years of its development. Mr Safrai brings to Algatech considerable experience and a proven track record of guiding ambitious companies through international growth.
Mr Safrai joins Algatech with a 20-year background in leading general manager, sales, marketing and business development roles with diverse B2B and B2C companies including Tambour, Keter and SodaStream. In his most recent position, Mr Safrai was the Executive Vice President of Global Marketing and Sales for the Galam Group, a leading natural ingredients company.
Solabia is a vertically-integrated manufacturer of natural active ingredients for the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and microbiology industries. Solabia also produces culture media, supplements, detection kits and peptones for the food testing and pharmaceutical industries. With six production facilities and multiple R&D centres, the company offers an extensive range of natural active principles and ingredients for the cosmetic, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. Solabia is a major player in the global cosmetic ingredients market with presence in the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa. Under the brand Biokar, Solabia is also active in the development, production and selling of raw materials and of culture media, supplements and detection kits for microbiology laboratories. The company’s products are principally used in the agro-food industry to detect bacteria, such as salmonella, legionella or listeria.
Visit Algatech at SupplySide West, October 17-19 2019, Booth #5311.
References
1. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-017-06926-1
2. Z. Younossi et al., “Global burden of NAFLD and NASH: Trends predictions, risk factors and prevention,” Nat. Rev. Gastroenterol. Hepatol.,vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 11–20, 2018.
