Structured phospholipids from microalgae with improved bioactivity; a new approach to prevent obesity related disorders in pets.

The steady growth in the number of elderly pets and an unhealthy life style has created new market opportunities within pet food products. Presently obesity in pets are combatted with feed products low in fat or carbohydrates which are relatively expensive, or by the use of vaccination or drugs which have unwanted side effects. The overall goal of this project is to devlop new feed ingredients based on bioactive phosholipids comprising specific fatty acids. The product is anticipated to result in weight loss in addition to other positive effects associated with omega-3 fatty acids. More than 18 million animals are at risk for a premature death due to an unhealhy diet. Additionally, nearly half of all pets are obese or are affected by chronic diseases. Humanisation of pets have greatly influenced the consumers perception of feed products. Ingredien ts which are part of human nutrition, such as EPA / DHA omega-3 faty acids appeals to pet owners who wishes to provide the very best in nutrition for their pets. This has resulted in a billion dollar market for pet feed supplements with an annual growth exceeding 2% in 2011, with an expected increase to 7% in 2015 with an annual sale reaching 2 billion dollar. We expect to take a reasonable share of this market with a unique product for weight reduction which also have metabolic effects equivalent to om ega-3, and therefore will be attractive for producers of feed ingredients in pet feed. Unsaturated fatty acids are part of our nutrition and have documented, bioactive metabolic effects of importance for health and wellbeing. Modified synthetic fatty acids containing sulfur atoms such as tetradecylthioacetic acid (TTA) have properties which are related to such natural fatty acids, but with more potent metabolic effects. This have been utilized to prepare improved feed ingredients using microalgae as a vector. Chlorella vulgaris was identified as an appropriate microalgae for the production of bioactive phospholipids and optimal cultivation conditions were established. Both TTA and omega-3 fatty acids were incorporated into algae lipids. An extraction method for algae phospholipids have been developed and the level of TTA and omega-3 in the lipids has been determined. The preferred ratio of TTA to omega-3 in the algae cultivation medium was identified. This product had significant effects on lipid metabolism when tested in mice models. A start up company, NOBESITA AS was established early in the project through BTO, with the aim of identifying a commercialisation strategy for the novel product.

The aging pet population and our unhealthy life style are creating new market opportunities in the feed supplement market. Today, obesity in pets is fought using expensive low fat, low carbohydrate diets or using vaccines and drugs that have some unwanted side effects. The overall goal of this project is to make a novel feed ingredients based on bioactive phospholipids that contain specific fatty acids. Our pet supplement will lead to weight loss as well as having similar effects as omega-3. Compared to t he current approaches, the product from this project aims to both deliver essential omega-3 fatty acids and modified fatty acids. Therefore, feed ingredients based on this novel lipid will be unique on the market, having the same positive effects as omega -3, as well as boosting the metabolism leading to weight loss and better cardiac health. Natural lipids are dietary components with documented bioactive effects on metabolic pathways of importance for health and well-being. Modified synthetic fatty acids containing a sulfur atom in odd positions such as tetradecylthioacetic acid (TTA) have metabolic properties resulting in similar, but more potent beneficial metabolic effects. More than 18 million pets are at risk of early death due to poor diets, and in fact obesity and chronic diseases are affecting half of the pet population. The recent humanization of companion animals has been a strong driver in the way consumers generally perceive pet products and brands. Label claims and ingredients found in human diets, such as EPA/DHA omega-3s, attract pet owners who want to provide the very best for their pets. This has resulting in a billion-dollar supplement market that is growing to an estimated $2 billion in 2015. We expect get a share of this market by hav ing a unique product that leads to weight loss, and which has improved effects compared to omega-3 containing feeds, and therefore appeals to manufacturers of animal feed and nutritional supplements