UPM collaborates to tap into the potential of microalgae in preventing oxidative stress

UPM COLLABORATES TO TAP INTO THE POTENTIAL OF MICROALGAE IN PREVENTING OXIDATIVE STRESS

DEC 22, 2020 @ 10.44PM

(From left) UPM Bioprocessing and Biomanufacturing Research Centre head Professor Dr Arbakariya Ariff exhanging the research collaboration with PNT Research managing director, Lee Bin Hao.

Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) has announced a collaboration between its Bioprocessing and Biomanufacturing Research Centre (BBRC) and biotechnology company PNT Research. Both parties will work to enhance the efficacy of functional ingredients to contribute towards a society with healthy ageing. The collaboration will delve into the huge potential microalgae bring in preventing oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress
Oxidative stress had been linked to many chronic diseases, such as cancer, diabetics, Alzheimer's disease and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Oxidative stress is caused by an excess of free radicals in the body's cells and can damage cells, proteins and DNA.

It leads to premature ageing and is increasingly common due to many factors including ageing, lifestyle changes, stress and pollution.

To help find a solution, BBRC head Professor Dr Arbakariya Ariff is leading his team to study marine microalgae TetraSOD, which is touted as the most potent antioxidant and nutritious marine microalgae functional ingredient.

“We are excited to work with PNT Research, starting by enhancing the efficacy of TetraSOD (Tetraselmis chuii) and followed by other functional ingredients. It will minimise the damage of time and let people achieve healthy ageing, so that they may recover from illness more quickly and reduce the risk of getting a chronic disease,” he said.

PNT Research managing director, Lee Bin Hao, said the partnership with UPM builds on a simple yet powerful goal: to make quality and affordable functional ingredient products accessible for people.

“The world population is ageing, and Malaysia is no exception. As patriotic citizens, we want to contribute back to the community, starting with TetraSOD.

BBRC associate researcher, Dr Fadzlie Wong Faizal Wong, said the collaboration is not a norm but an extraordinary success.

“It is clear that the collaboration’s success story was not crafted in the boardrooms of skyscrapers. It is the result of a shared vision and mission to promote, protect and improve the lifelong health of people,” he said.

Also present were representatives from Spanish side Fitoplancton Marino; the world leader in marine microalgae production, Swiss side DKSH; Germany’s Gelita which leads the world in collagen technology.

Strategic alliance
Fitoplancton Marino
The inventor of TetraSOD, marine biotech company Fitoplancton Marino, lauded the collaboration as a partnership that will inject new vitality into the R&D of functional ingredients.

Its director general Carlos Unamunzaga said: “We are delighted to see our partners expand their innovation capabilities. The industry will significantly benefit from the new on-the-ground expertise in Malaysia as a result of the collaboration between UPM and PNT Research.

“We are committed to collaborating closely with our business partners, sharing technical know-how and explore new ways to improve product performance,” said Unamunzaga.

“We look forward to strengthening our strategic alliance with PNT Research, which is to push the boundaries of science in delivering health and wellness.

UPM COLLABORATES TO TAP INTO THE POTENTIAL OF MICROALGAE IN PREVENTING OXIDATIVE STRESS

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