DHA, the most sought after long chain omega-3 fatty acid, could become far more widely used in the food industry following the launch of a low-cost, plant-sourced version, according to leading players in the healthy oils market.Under a deal struck last month, Martek Biosciences and Dow AgroSciences are hoping to beat rivals DuPont, BASF and Monsanto to be the first to market with a vegetarian source of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) made from plants.
Currently, the only plant-sourced omega-3 is alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a shorter-chain fatty acid derived from crops like linseed. If manufacturers want the more beneficial fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and DHA, they must rely on fish oil or microalgae.
As producing plants with useful quantities of EPA and DHA was impossible via conventional breeding, genetic modification (engineering canola with genes from micro-algae enabling it to produce DHA) was necessary, said Martek. "But the oil itself will not contain GM proteins."
The new oil would hit the market in less than a decade, but would not compete head-to-head with Martek's life'sDHA, which is produced from microalgae and used in infant formula, supplements and functional foods, said the firm. It would, instead, offer new mass market opportunities in cooking oils, ready meals and other applications.
"We see there being separate markets for DHA from different sources," said the firm. "The two could complement each other. The mince for a lasagne could be cooked in canola oil, while life'sDHA could be added to the cheese sauce."
The deal was announced as new evidence linking DHA to improved listening comprehension and vocabulary skills in pre-school children was published in the journal Clinical Pediatrics.