BELFAST headquartered agri tech group Devenish has secured new government funding to develop algae-derived animal feed.
Devenish is to receive up to £384,216 from Innovate UK. Its Canadian partner Mara Renewables Corporation (Mara) is also set to receive R&D government funding on the other side of the Atlantic to the tune of £223,000.
The result of a joint bid with biotech company Mara will see the partners use the funds to develop an innovative algae-derived poultry feed with the aim of improving human health worldwide.
Devenish chief executive, Richard Kennedy, said the typical human diet lacks health-promoting fats such as Omega-3.
“The main source of these nutrients is oily fish, yet the recommended one serving per week is consumed by very few across the globe,” he said.
“There is, therefore, a public health need to make the consumption of Omega-3 DHA more accessible through more popular, globally consumed foods, such as poultry meat, and this is where the nutritional expertise of Devenish and Mara’s patent protected manufacturing method combine to great effect.”
The Devenish boss said: “This funding will allow Devenish and Mara to focus on developing the next generation of OmegaPro, our naturally enriched Omega-3 DHA rich poultry feed, formulated using a sustainable algae-based source.”
Matthew Sharman, Group Science and Technical Manager at Devenish added: “Produced with sustainability in mind and dense in nutrients, this chicken will provide an important source of omega-3 DHA oils in the human diet, whilst enhancing the overall efficiency of poultry production.
“The processes involved will reduce the carbon footprint of omega-3 DHA production and develop a novel sustainable protein source, making progress towards the goal of achieving net zero agriculture emissions.
“We are enthusiastic to launch this project, the findings from which we believe will inspire similar work within other species sectors such as aquaculture and pigs.”
