Additive-free foods are high on the agenda for consumers today, meaning there is a strong imperative for uncovering natural ingredients that can maintain the safety and shelf-life of foods.
Aquapharm Biodiscovery believes its substantial collection of marine bacteria and fungi from a variety of diverse sources could proffer some solutions. It has teamed up with Leatherhead Food International to develop a source of naturally-derived anti-microbial compounds.
Based at the European Centre for Marine Biotechnology in Oban on Scotland’s West coast, Aquapharm uses it epigenetics platform to expose these microorganisms to stresses that they would not normally be exposed to, which allows conformational changes in the DNA structure and wakes up silent genetic pathways.
In this way the microorganisms can be stimulated to produce novel, biologically active compounds.
AquaPharm is drawn up its shortlist, Leatherhead Food Research – which has experience in the identification, evaluation and application of new preservatives for foods – will screen it against its collection of food spoilage organism to measure the preservative performance.
Dr Andrew Mearns Spragg, chief technology officer and founder of Aquapharm, told FoodNavigator.com that the companies will be working with microbial extracts but that they can drill down to the compound level where particular potential is shown.
The results of the collaboration will made available to industry via Leatherhead’s membership network and an industry partner or partners may further develop and commercialise them.
Dr Mearns Spragg emphasised to FoodNavigator.com that epigenetics is a natural process that involves changing the character of the cell without altering the DNA structure as in the case of GMOs.
Aquapharm has already collaborated with Croda over the development of a novel bio-actives from marine sources for use in personal care products, and also with AMRI to isolate and identify active pharmaceutical ingredients.
Dr Mearns Spragg said the initial results of the screening exercise are expected in the early part of 2011.