Australia
February 3, 2014
A significant milestone was achieved late last year by Australia’s long-chain omega-3 canola research collaboration when it produced DHA oil levels equal to that found in wild fish.
The collaboration, formed in 2011 between Nuseed, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), aims to develop a genetically modified canola that will produce long-chain omega-3 oil at levels equal to that of wild fish.
“With more people around the world consuming long-chain omega-3 oils for the associated health benefits, a sustainable solution is needed to take pressure off our wild fish stocks and provide an alternate source,” said Dr Malcolm Devine, Nuseed’s global innovation lead.
“We recently achieved our target DHA oil levels, giving us great encouragement that we are on the right path to deliver a commercially viable alternative omega-3 oil source.”
Development of the canola involves plant to plant gene transfer.
“We are taking genes from one member of the plant kingdom, microalgae, and using them in canola to deliver DHA rich oil,” said Dr James Petrie, senior scientist with the CSIRO’s Food Futures Flagship.
“If we are successful, we estimate that one hectare of the DHA canola will deliver the equivalent amount of DHA oil that can be extracted from 10,000 fish.”
Why sustainable DHA omega-3 is important
The benefits of long-chain omega-3 in human health are well documented, playing an important role in heart and brain health, child and infant development, inflammation management and other health functions.
Demand for DHA omega-3 oil is driven by supplements and fortified foods for human consumption and feed additives in industries like aquaculture.
“Consumers around the world are becoming more aware of the well documented DHA health benefits, and are consuming more DHA rich products. World demand for long-chain omega-3 oils is increasing due to continued research validation of positive affects in human diets,” said Dr Surinder Singh, CSIRO group leader for oilseeds.
About the Omega-3 Oil Research Collaboration
Nuseed (a wholly owned subsidiary of Nufarm Ltd), the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and the Australian Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) joined in 2011 to form a $50 million research collaboration to develop a high quality, sustainable, renewable and reliable source of long-chain omega-3 oil for human consumption.
The current main primary source of long-chain omega-3 oil is fish. This project uses advanced technologies for genetic improvement to transfer plant genes (from microalgae) to another plant (canola) to deliver high value canola oil which will contain high levels of long-chain DHA-rich omega-3 oil, equal to or better than that found in fish.
The CSIRO through its Food Futures National Research Flagship is providing investment, the research science behind omega-3s and developing transgenic omega-3 canola; the GDRC is providing investment; and Nuseed is providing investment and development, including regulatory and breeding expertise to the collaboration.
Nuseed
Nuseed is a global seed company, wholly owned by Nufarm Limited, which is committed to delivering impact beyond yield. We develop elite seed products that drive value both on the farm and through the agrifood chain.
Our focus is on breeding and producing high performance seeds in our three core crops - canola, sunflowers and sorghum – that are marketed in more than 30 countries.
Through partnership and innovation we work to create opportunities for growers, processors and end users to jointly build and share in new value within the agrifood chain.
We are a member of the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3 (GOED).
nuseed.com
CSIRO
At CSIRO we shape the future. We do this by using science to solve real issues. Our research makes a difference to industry, people and the planet.
As Australia’s national science agency we’ve been pushing the edge of what’s possible for over 85 years. Our people work closely with industry and communities to leave a lasting legacy.
We are one of the largest and most diverse research agencies in the world. Our interests span five broad areas: food, health and life science industries; energy; environment; information and communications; and manufacturing, materials and minerals. Within these areas we operate multiple national research flagships, facilities and collections.
Our ability to achieve results is shown by the quality of our research. We are in the top 1% of global research institutions in 14 of 22 research fields and in the top 0.1% in four research fields. Collectively, our innovation and excellence places us in the top ten applied research agencies in the world.
csiro.au
GRDC
The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) is one of the world's leading grains research, development and extension (RD&E) organisations.
We invest in RD&E to provide growers with vital information, knowledge and resources to support effective competition by Australian grain growers in global grain markets, through enhanced profitability and sustainability. Our investment in farming practices, plant varieties, and new products has helped position Australia’s growers as the best in the world.
“These healthy oils are commonly derived from ocean microalgae. Fish, such as salmon and tuna, consume the microalgae-derived oils via their food-chain and the long-chain omega-3 oils accumulate in their flesh.
“It is projected that demand for healthy long-chain omega-3 oils will exceed the production that can be sustainably supplied by wild fish stocks.
“Using an alternative land-based source of the oil will be critical to maintain an adequate supply for an ever increasing demand.”
Next steps
The collaboration is now moving into full development pre-regulatory stages with both field and lab performance trials.
“The trials will be carefully monitored and controlled in line with federal regulatory requirements. Material generated in the trials will not enter the feed or food chain,” Dr Devine said.
“We aim to have seed available for commercial production by around 2018, provided key development milestones are achieved and the required regulatory protocols are met.”
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