Science Centres: Fisheries

NIWA is searching for new species of marine microbes that are potential sources of omega-3 oils and other health-giving natural compounds.

The importance of omega-3 oils in human and animal nutrition is well known. Benefits for human health include the reduction of heart disease and stroke, alleviation of the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, and greatly improved infant and child development.

As a consequence, there is high market demand for omega-3s to be included in products such as food ingredients, dietary supplements, therapeutics, and aquaculture diet improvement.

NIWA biotechnologist Dr Serena Cox has recently identified several new species of marine microbes from New Zealand waters that are capable of producing high levels of omega-3 oils.

Ongoing work will focus on improving omega-3 production, searching for pigments which may possess antioxidant properties, and further exploring the diversity of these microbes in New Zealand.

This research is jointly funded by FRST and NIWA.