n m

Natural Colourant for Aquaculture Industry ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY COLOURANT

Astaxanthin is largely used in aquaculture industry to colour fishes such as salmon, trout, ornamental fishes and prawns, as an additive in cosmetics and also as an antioxidant in pharmaceutical industries. Astaxanthin can be produced chemically or by extraction from the waste of shells of invertebrates (prawns and crabs). However, due to its detrimental effects to the environment, the production by biological means is therefore preferred. Although natural astaxanthin can be produced naturally from Pacific krills (Euphausia pacifica), Antarctic krills (Euphausia pluvialis) and yeast (Phafia rhodozyma), only microalgae and yeast are chosen because of their sustainability. The present research has come up with an attractive method of obtaining astaxanthin from astaxanthin-containing yeast cells. Important aspects of the invention are based on a particular method for cultivating astaxanthin-producing cells and/or the provision of mutant strains with an improved inherent capability of producing astaxanthin.

• Compet ing products and p layers – In Malays ia , there is no company tha t cur rent ly produces as taxanth in , w i th on ly one so le agent tha t impor ts as taxanth in f rom the USA (as taxanth in f rom microa lgae, Hematococcus sp. ) . A l though there is an a lgae based company wh ich was se t up before , the product ion is no t as good as expected. There fore , the need o f as taxanth in in Malays ia a lone is v iab le

• Key success fac tors aga ins t compet i t ion – The present as taxanth in is p roduced us ing yeast ce l ls in a l iqu id fe rmenter sys tem and there fore the product ion is re l iab le as i t can be produced throughout the year . The b iomass conta in ing as taxanth in tha t is p roduced not on ly ac ts as an as taxanth in source but a lso as a pro te in source to the f ish and prawn d ie ts a t the same t ime. I t ac ts as an ant iox idant , wh ich g ives added advantages fo r sus ta in ing hea l th or even fo r human consumpt ion

• Benchmark aga ins t compet ing techno logy – The product ion o f b iomass is v iab le th rough submerged fermenta t ion sys tem. There fore , i t is based on the capab i l i ty o f the s t ra in to produce h igher y ie ld o f p roduct

• Benchmark aga ins t emerg ing techno logy – Whi le new techno logy uses recombinant techno logy, there are both advantages and d isadvantages in th is techno logy fo r the product ion o f food based product

www.platcomventures.com

WHAT’S NEXT?

The inventors would like to speak to companies interested in licensing this technology.

E: info@platcomventures.com T: +603 8319 3116

CONTACT

THE INNOVATION

Asta-Xdm20 is the natural astaxanthin from microalgae and yeast, which is widely used in the aquaculture industry to colour fishes, as an additive in cosmetics and antioxidant in pharmaceutical industries. It is produced naturally using yeast cells in a liquid fermenter system. Astaxanthin is also an antioxidant agent and is widely used as supplement in numerous health diets. Being a highly valued commercial product, the production of Asta-xdm20 at a much cheaper cost has a huge market potential.

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES

Caroteno id as taxanth in , a natura l red p igment , is a h igh ly va lued commerc ia l p roduct . Pure as taxanth in has been repor ted to fe tch a record pr ice o f RM15,000.00 per kg . I t is used in many d i f fe rent indust r ies l ike aquacu l tu re , cosmet ics and pharmaceut ica ls . As taxanth in is a lso an ant iox idant agent and is w ide ly used as a supp lement in numerous hea l th d ie ts . In Malays ia , the la rgest market fo r i ts use is in the aquacu l tu re indust ry where i t is used as a supp lement in f ish feeds to enhance the co loura t ion o f the f ish f lesh and sk ins . The usua l supp ly o f as taxanth in is impor ted a t a cos t o f RM80 to RM100 mi l l ion per year . As such the present product ion o f Asta-xdm20 a t a much cheaper cost has a h igh market po tent ia l .

MARKET POTENTIAL

© 2014 PlaTCOM Ventures. All rights reserved.

A process for producing a biomass containing astaxanthin is protected via the filing of a Malaysian patent.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Joint manifestations for patients of Chi

Next,Steps,(Is!there!Industry!links!or!poten)al!partners!who!express!an!interest!in!developing!or!

licensing!products/services?!Proposed!commercializa)on!op)on?!!Licensing,fees/Selling,price,!etc.)!

•  NCIAKMTDCKUSM!Symbiosis!Programme!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Ideal!Eternity!Sdn!Bhd!•  NonKexclusive!lecense!

PROJECT  CODE:  P387