DuPont launches high-dose vegetarian EPA omega-3 form

07-Apr-2010 - Last updated on 08-Apr-2010 at 17:48 GMT

DuPont has launched a dietary supplement range in the US that employs its high-dose, yeast-derived EPA ingredient that is targeting younger consumers seeking vegetarian alternatives.

DuPont launched New Harvest to be the platform for the softgels that deliver 600mg of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) per 1200mg capsule and which are being co-branded with Futurebiotics.

The products are being sold for $19.99 for a 30-capsule bottle at GNC stores throughout the US.

“We are using Facebook and Twitter and Youtube to reach a younger demographic,” DuPont spokesperson, Michelle Reardon toldNutraIngredients-USA.com. “But we are targeting older consumers too through more traditional mediums.”

Reardon was unable to confirm whether it would also sell the ingredient believed to be the highest commercially available form of vegetarian-sourced EPA on the market, to other players either in the food or supplements space.

Frost and Sullivan note 85 percent of omega-3s are sourced from fish oil.

In a statement, DuPont Applied BioSciences vice president John Ranieri said:

"DuPont is committed to delivering new products that deliver health and wellness to a growing population. We continue to utilize our key science and technology capabilities to commercialize superior performing, sustainable solutions that transform markets spanning energy, materials and health."

High yield omega-3 plants

Other companies like BASF and Monsanto have also been researching the potential of genetic engineering to yield higher omega-3 levels from plants in various forms.

Monsanto recently published safety data for stearidonic acid-rich soybean oil and BASF says it is making progress towards EPA-rich rapeseed oil.

Academia is involved too with Virginia Tech, in collaboration with US Department of Agriculture scientists, reporting fungal treatment of biodiesel waste may in three to four years give us another source of EPA.

In Australia, researchers at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) have been working under the Omega-3 Project to develop GM plant prototypes to deliver high doses of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). But commercial results there are not expected for 10-15 years.

DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) specialist Martek Biosciences has also recently committed to delivering high-dose EPA from algae sources.