Collaboration to identify natural, marine-derived food preservatives

Aquapharm Biodiscovery has announced it has signed a research agreement with Leatherhead Food Research to identify novel functional extracts with broad-spectrum anti-microbial activity using Aquapharm’s extensive collection of marine microorganisms.

Under the terms of this agreement, Aquapharm will apply its suite of proprietary screening technologies, including SeaRch, and fermentation know-how to generate extracts for screening. Leatherhead Food Research, drawing on its scientific expertise and track record on the identification, evaluation and application of alternative preservatives for food and other applications, will then undertake the screening of these short-listed extracts from Aquapharm’s collection against a range of different microorganisms, bacteria and fungi.

The companies will offer the output of this screening effort, namely a rich source of naturally derived antimicrobial compounds, to the food and beverage industry and seek an appropriate partner, or partners, to support the further development and commercialisation of selected candidates.

The collaboration represents a major step forward for Aquapharm in realising the potential of its marine assets and expertise in the food and beverage sector. This builds on its established deals with Croda to develop novel bio-active ingredients for the personal care industry and AMRI to isolate and identify active pharmaceutical ingredients, thus maximising the exploitation of its marine collection in producing a range of high-value-added products for multiple market sectors.

On signing of the agreement, Aquapharm CEO Simon Best said, “Today’s consumers are increasingly demanding naturally derived ingredients and we are delighted to engage in collaboration with Leatherhead Food Research to develop a productive new source of natural preservatives that meets this need.”

“Consumer demand for additive-free foods is a key research driver in the area of food preservatives. Adding to Leatherhead’s current research portfolio on natural alternatives to chemical preservatives, this collaboration aims at the effective exploitation of Aquapharm’s unique source of biodiverse marine microorganisms,” said Dr Evangelia Komitopoulou, Head of Food Safety at Leatherhead Food Research.

Initial results from this research agreement are expected during early 2011.