Digging deeper

Nuseed’s strategic commitment to provide world-changing solutions through the power of plants means creating crops that positively impact global environmental issues. Climate change and a growing population add urgency to the need for innovation. Agricultural and ocean environments are under intense pressure to feed our planet without starving it of resources.

Nuseed aligned Omega-3 development goals with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly focused on: life below water, life on land, zero hunger, good health and wellbeing and partnerships.

Making strides against these goals starts with the protection of the world’s wild-fish stocks. The need for omega-3 oils for human health is a major contributor to the growing pressure on the world’s wild-fish populations. And as the demand for omega-3 nutrition continues to grow, the supply of fish does not.

Fortunately, Nuseed is helping improve life below water with a high-quality, safe plant-based alternative that is scalable and sustainable. Both Aquaterra® and Nutriterra® provide long-chain omega-3 oils like those found in fish, but require fewer resources to produce, which is key to attaining the goal of good health and wellbeing.

As well as the benefits to health, one hectare of Nuseed Omega-3 Canola produces the same amount of omega-3 as 10,000 kilograms of fish, which means there are more fish available to feed humans, bringing us one step closer towards the goal of zero hunger.

Growing Nuseed Omega-3 Canola also releases 94.5% less CO2 than catching the nutritional equivalent of wild fish, therefore supporting life on land, another of the sustainable development goals. It provides a habitat for over 2,000 species of beneficial insects, including bees, as well as helping sequester carbon in the soil.

Nuseed’s Nutriterra®, is the first plant-based total omega-3 oil developed specifically for human nutrition and dietary supplement markets.

Nuseed partnered with Dr. Bruce Holub, a leading expert in omega-3 fatty acids and their impact on human nutrition, to determine if there was a significant benefit for an Omega-3 Canola oil specifically developed for human consumption. Dr. Holub consulted on extensive clinical trials, studying Nutriterra’s efficacy as a replacement for ocean based-sources.

“We know that higher levels of omega-3 in the blood lower risks of sudden cardiac death, lower risk of age-related dementia and a much lower risk of having a premature infant birth,” Dr. Holub said.

Secure in the knowledge it was developing an essential new product with very real benefit to consumers, Nuseed has completed R&D and is advancing field production and key global regulatory submissions to commercialize Nutriterra® for human consumption.

Thomas Tritt, Nuseed’s Director of Nutraceuticals, leads the company’s market development in this segment. His team has positioned Nutriterra® as a high-quality, plant-based alternative for dietary supplement manufacturers. Nutriterra® provides DHA omega-3 fatty acids at levels equal to that of traditional fish oil production. And because it is a drop-in replacement for current fish and algae oils, it eliminates any need for infrastructure investment.

Consumer experience is another big advantage of Nutriterra®. Unlike fish-based omega-3 oils, consumers get the same omega-3 total as the equivalent fish oil serving, with a neutral taste and texture. Plus, its plant-based production reduces pressure on wild fish stocks to supply the essential nutrient.

Nutriterra® also provides alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) in levels that are double the concentration of standard canola, opening new markets in formulation. It all adds up to Nutriterra® providing end-use customers and consumers with substantial added value and a product they can feel good about using.