Singapore, Mar 03, 2010: Researchers at Thailand's National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) successfully produced DHA omega 3 from locally sourced microorganisms. Normally, DHA omega 3 is produced from fish oil. However, in recent years, due to the depletion of fish source and increase awareness of the health benefits from omega 3, there has been increased demand for DHA omega 3 enriched foods.

“We realize the importance of fatty acid consumption and with the abundant of diversified microorganism available in natural settings and stored at BIOTEC culture collection facility, it was a simple case of utilizing these microorganisms for omega 3 production” said Dr Lily Eurwilaichitr, Director of BIOTEC's Bioresource Unit.

“The significance of this research output is that we are able to produce DHA omega 3 from microorganisms and not from natural fish oil. The success of this research will help minimize the need to catch fish for omega production thus increasing the amount of fish for human and animal food security” said Dr Wai Prathumpai, a BIOTEC researcher at Fermentation Technology Laboratory.

The DHA Omega 3 project is in the pre-pilot scale and BIOTEC is currently discussing technology transfer opportunity with a local private sector in the feed industry that is looking to producing the DHA omega 3 as animal food additives. Considering the impact this research project can bring to local economy, BIOTEC prefer to look at a non-exclusive business discussion rather than exclusivity.