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ABL Biotechnologies Ltd has established India’s first and the
world’s second facility for the production of the essential
fatty acid DHA, at Tiruchendur, in southern Tamil Nadu, with an
investment of Rs 40 crore. This investment is being made in the
current year and the facility will begin producing DHA in 2008.
DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid; all the fatty acids which are
essential in the human diet are either omega-3 or omega-6. The
omega-3 and omega-6 family of fatty acids are essential because
they cannot be synthesised in the body, but must be obtained in
the diet.
The technology for this project has been developed under ABL,
the second producer of DHA in the world. This upgraded facility
will enable ABL to produce DHA at lower costs and higher
productivity. ABL’s work centres on a variant of the organism
Schizochitrium sp. which is isolated from the eastern coast of
India and this source has been approved and classified by the
USFDA to be GRAS.
Almost 60 per cent of heart attacks occur without warning due
to irregular heartbeats which the fatty acid DHA (Docasa
Hexaenoic Acid) can prevent. DHA can also benefit the mind as
DHA is highly concentrated in membranes of brain synapses and in
the retina of the eye. DHA declines in brain cell (neuron)
membranes with aging and may result in declining mental
function. DHA requirements for brain development in the
late-stage foetus and newborn are so critical that slight
deficiencies can have a life-long impact on intelligence.
DHA is important in the pre-natal and post-natal stage for
optimal infant brain, eye and nervous system development.
Additionally, some research suggests that adequate levels of DHA
in the maternal diet may play a role in helping a mother’s
emotional well-being after birth.
Between birth and five years of age, the human brain
increases approximately 3.5 times in mass. It is important that
children consume adequate amounts of DHA in their diet to
support this period of rapid brain and eye growth and
development. DHA ensures that cells in the brain, retina, heart
and other parts of the nervous system develop and function
properly.
ABL plans to retail DHA in the form of capsules and fortified
foods and will be available by 2009, its spokesman said.
R Rangaraj
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