Archer Daniels Midland Co. and Synthetic Genomics, Inc. have entered an agreement to produce and market omega-3 fatty acid ingredients sourced from algae, ADM said May 19. ADM’s Food & Wellness and Animal Nutrition Groups will market the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid.
DHA has been studied for its role in brain, heart and eye health, according to ADM. DHA typically is found in fish and seafood products, but extracting DHA from algae grown in fermentation tanks yields a highly purified form of DHA, according to ADM.
Synthetic Genomics, based in La Jolla, is involved in genomic research and business programs.
“We are impressed with the leading-edge technologies that SGI uses to quickly turn commercial opportunities into realities, and we look forward to working with them to use those capabilities to further enhance our current portfolio of nutritional ingredients,” said Greg Dodson, general manager, ADM Foods & Wellness.
Craig Venter, founder and chief executive officer of SGI, said, “We are pleased to be working with ADM, a global leader in human and animal health and nutrition. This agreement is a major accomplishment for SGI as it represents commercial validation of our science and technology. We are eager to continue to work with ADM to develop other unique and nutritionally sound food and nutraceutical ingredients.”
