Omega-3: from academia to commercial blockbuster
Newton tells Shane Starling how omega-3s have advanced out of academic and pharmaceuticals worlds and into nutraceutical and functional foods applications that form a multi-billion dollar, supplements-dominated market today.
He tracks the expansion of omega-3 science from an initial body of heart-based research to “the next wave” of research citing omega-3 benefits for bones, pregnant women, embryos and infants, as well as brain and visual health.
Omega-3 developments in crops may offer new sources in the future with 15 percent EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and oil content already possible from, “canola and flax-type crops”.
Newton sees biofuels is offering a lot of potential that could, “relieve the pressure on the sustainability of the whole fish area”.
