Queensland algae set to tackle obesity and fight disease under Palaszczuk Government backed project

Queensland-grown algae is set to be the next super food used to fight cardiovascular disease, cut obesity and tackle inflammatory diseases, thanks to a joint university and industry research project backed by the Palaszczuk Government.

Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy Leeanne Enoch said today (Friday) researchers from the University of Southern Queensland and James Cook University are working with MBD Energy to create an algae industry in regional Queensland that will deliver major health benefits and generate domestic and export revenue.

“This project, which has been backed by an Advance Queensland Innovation Partnerships program grant of nearly $260,000, has the potential to deliver new jobs in regional Queensland,” Ms Enoch said.

“There are many positives about this project, including health benefits and an economic boost for regional areas, but one of the highlights of this research is that the seaweed has a double whammy of productive outcomes.

“It is grown in prawn and barramundi farms to remove nutrients from waste water that might otherwise flow onto the Great Barrier Reef, but it also produces a valuable biomass.

“There is potentially a huge benefit to people in Queensland, around Australia, and indeed the rest of the world, but also it has the potential to reduce the economic health burden on governments by tackling the obesity epidemic.”

Project leader Professor Lindsay Brown said the aim of the project was to identify potential health products that could be produced from algae grown in Queensland by industry partner MBD Energy.

“The research has shown that algae is a functional food, that is a food that could reverse or prevent disease and deliver health benefits,” Professor Brown said.

Four seaweed products are being produced by MBD Energy, each of which show promise for human health and nutrition.

“University of Southern Queensland researchers studying rats have found very promising results with a soluble extract from a particular seaweed, Ulva, in the prevention and correction of obesity,” he said.

“This is using a soluble product, called ulvans, extracted by James Cook University researchers from the edible green sea lettuce used to remove nutrients from effluent water that might otherwise flow onto the Great Barrier Reef.

“USQ researchers are also about to start rat trials using the microalgae pigment astaxanthin,” Professor Brown said.

“Natural astaxanthin from algae, which gives wild salmon and prawns their colour, is an extremely powerful antioxidant that neutralises potentially damaging free radicals. This program will now examine the metabolic and gut health benefits.

“MBD is in the final stages of commissioning a large, $13 million natural algal astaxanthin facility near Ayr, which has created approximately 20 full-time jobs in regional Queensland.”

Advance Queensland is the Palaszczuk Government’s $420 million whole-of-government initiative, supporting jobs across a range of industry sectors.

The algae project is just one of 23 to be funded across two rounds of the Advanced Queensland Innovation Partnerships program for a total of more than $16.7 million.

To find out more, visit advance.qld.gov.au/industry/innovation-partnerships.aspx.

ENDS

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