AZTI-Tecnalia is taking part, jointly with the Ainia (project coordinator) Leia Fundación and INBIOTEC technological centres, in the Inmugal project, aimed at generating foods that have immuno-stimulating functions for the organism and, through the incorporation of compounds obtained from microalgae with properties beneficial to health. This research is supported by the Ministry of Science and Innovation and is to last for two years.

It has been shown that certain microalgae are a source of substances with high nutritional value such as vitamins, fatty acids or essential amino-acids and that are exceptional complements for our diet and can have beneficial effects on people. This is why there is a growing interest in research into these microalgae, their applications being aimed at the field of biotechnology applied to foods.

More concretely, the Inmugal project is currently focusing on polysaccharides (chains of sugars) that have important properties such as, for example, that of favouring energy reserves. The initial results indicate that these compounds, obtained from the cells of certain microalgae, can be applied as functional ingredients in the human diet, in order to boost the immune system of the organism.

In this vein, Inmugal is working on a number of lines of research, such as the cultivation of the microalgae in question, the recovery and extraction of the polysaccharides therein, their protection (microencapsulation of the polysaccharide) and the study of their behaviour in in vitro, animal models, amongst others.

Translation: Basque Research

Comparte este contenido: