Euglena Co., Ltd.（Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Mitsuru Izumo） announced the confirmation of research findings suggesting the establishment of a cultivation method for a novel alga called "aurantiochytrium." The results were presented at the 1st Global Algae Summit (GAS) 2023 held on August 17, 2023, within the campus of UTM Kuala Lumpur.

Research Objectives:

Aurantiochytrium is a type of alga similar to kelp, but it is characterized by not conducting photosynthesis. Furthermore, it is rich in lipids, with around 20% of its cell weight containing DHA, a type of fish oil that is abundant in essential fatty acids. The company has been working on establishing production technology for aurantiochytrium in recent years and presented the successful manufacturing method for algal powder on a production scale for the first time in this research.

Research Content and Results:

The process of algal production consists of cultivation and drying stages. The study primarily focused on the cultivation process.

In the laboratory, cultivation was studied from test tube sizes to liter-scale cultures, gradually scaling up the process. A cultivation method that does not use seawater was developed, and ultimately, production on a large scale was achieved.

Moving on to the drying process, a device known as a spray dryer was used to manufacture dried powder. However, a challenge arose where the aurantiochytrium powder would adhere to the inner parts of the spray dryer. This issue was resolved by introducing a powder conditioning agent called a "formulation agent." The company's future efforts will be directed towards stabilizing aurantiochytrium production through ongoing research.

The company is committed to advancing research for the sustainability of our planet and society.

About Euglena Co., Ltd.:

Euglena Co., Ltd. achieved the world's first large-scale outdoor cultivation technology for the microalga Euglena (known as "Midori-mushi" in Japanese) on Ishigaki Island in 2005. The company utilizes Euglena and Chlorella cultivated on Ishigaki Island to develop and sell functional foods, cosmetics, and more. They are also engaged in research for biofuel production and offer genetic analysis services. Since 2014, their "Euglena GENKI Program" has delivered nutrient-rich Euglena cookies to children in Bangladesh, which was expanded to include a wide range of products, including cosmetics, in April 2019. Euglena Co., Ltd. was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers Market in December 2012 and transferred to the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange in December 2014. They define their business approach as "Sustainability First" based on the Euglena Philosophy, striving to promote sustainability. Learn more at https://euglena.jp.