Qualitas Health ~ Algae-Sourced Omega-3s

IMPERIAL, TexasQualitas Health recently began producing algae-sourced omega-3 oils and completed the first industrial algae harvest at its new Texas facility.

Qualitas expects NDI (new dietary ingredient) regulatory filing on its new product, an eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)-rich polar lipid-structured omega-3, in 2013. The company is also making progress toward cultivation of microalgae, which is expected to reach commercial scale by the end of 2013.

 We are pleased that our first significant algae harvest and production of omega-3 oil has met the highest standards of consistency, quality and purity," said Isaac Berzin, founder and chief technology officer at Qualitas Health. The success of our multi-disciplinary team validates our selection of West Texas for our facility, where conditions are ideal for large-scale algaculture and high quality algae-based products." 

Qualitas Health has completed several integrated, long-term pilot studies in Israel and the United States to validate its technology. In 2012, the company completed a 12-month pilot algae growth project in the north of Israel, optimizing its process parameters and sustainability protocols while maintaining high omega-3 yields.

The company's 350-acre farm uses resources efficiently, with a minimal environmental footprint.  A natural strain of green microalgae is grown outdoors in open, brackish-water ponds, using sunlight and carbon dioxide from local emitters. The process is fresh-water neutral, where harvest occurs daily, with output water recycled back into farm operations. 

Oil is extracted onsite under license from Valicor Renewables, whose patented wet-extraction technology preserves the omega-3 molecules polar lipid structure. This process uses less energy than conventional dry methods, and the resulting product has been clinically proven to enhance omega-3 bioavailability.

Our West Texas location offers large tracts of non-arable land, a virtually unlimited source of non-drinkable, brackish water and predictable climate," said Yuri Shoshan, Qualitas Healths CEO. This is a perfect combination that adds up to efficient, sustainable and high quality algae production. Additionally, the facility utilizes a modular design that makes production easily scalable, with the potential for nearly unlimited expansion to meet the growing demand for sustainably sourced omega-3 products."

With a growing collection of clinical support, omega-3 ingredients such as fish and algal oils are holding steady as key players in the functional food marketplace. Find out more by reading INSIDER's feature "Time to Invest in Omega 3s."