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BIONÆR-Bionæringsprogram

Properties of Calanus oil as nutritional supplement and functional food ingredient

Awarded: NOK 4.5 mill.

Project Number:

192387

Project Period:

2009 - 2012

Funding received from:

Organisation:

Partner countries:

Calanus® AS is a Norwegian biomarine company founded on competence on ecologically sustainable harvesting of Calanus finmarchicus and on scientific and technological expertise related to development, manufacture and use of health- and nutrition products. Despite its dominating role in the marine ecosystem very little published information is available on the nutritional value of Calanus finmarchicus and on possible effects of components present in this organism on biochemical mechanisms relevant for hum an health. Calanus AS is producing and selling a unique marine oil from this new resource under the branded name Artic Ruby® Oil. The company has therefore a unique opportunity for marketing of a virgin and native marine oil free of environmental toxin s and hence the company has a noteable competetive advantage compared to companies selling dietary fish oils which have undergone complicated and expensive extraction and purification processes to remove toxins. Recent explorative studies carried out b y Calanus AS have provided data indicating that Artic Ruby® Oil has properties beyond those of EPA and DHA. Based on literature studies on chemical constituents similar to other components present in Artic Ruby® Oil , it may be the case that this oil in i ts virgin form represents a wholesome nutritional supplement, not only of essential omega-3 fatty acids, but also of vitamins, antioxidants and bioactive wax esters - as will be explored in the present project. Products highly relevant for the functiona l food and health food market will be developed. In order to meet this challenge, the company has established a project group which covers biochemistry and analytical chemistry, nutrition science, lipid metabolism and diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and dietary therapy of diseases related to fat metabolism and diabetes, as well as in marketing.

Funding scheme:

BIONÆR-Bionæringsprogram