Algae-based DHA

DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is an important micronutrient for optimal functioning at every stage of life. DHA is especially crucial during the initial 1,000 days, which includes the maternal, infant, and childhood phases. It has been linked to normal and healthy pregnancy as well as optimal vision and brain development in infants. This early life period profoundly shapes not only the immediate physical and cognitive growth, but also sets the foundation for lifelong health.

DHA is crucial for development

It’s a critical fatty acid for brain development, when the infant’s brain doubles in size in the first two years of life.* DHA, together with ARA (arachidonic acid), has been found to positively affect visual- and neuro-cognitive development, improve psychomotor capability, and support healthy pregnancy.*

Babies will naturally obtain DHA through breast milk. However, if breastfeeding is not possible, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that DHA should account for 0.2-0.36% of total fatty acids in infant formula. This is important, as neither DHA or ARA are naturally present in infant formula unless specifically added using algal, fish or fungal oil.

Inside our new algae-based DHA solution

The many benefits that algae-based DHA brings are the reason why Cargill started sourcing DHA from Canadian-headquartered innovator MARA.

This algae DHA (extracted from strain Schizochytrium, using a patented solvent-free process) is an alternative and potent source of Omega 3 reducing the impact on marine life by not contributing to overfishing of the oceans.

These fatty acids are pivotal for optimal visual and brain development in infants and support cognition and cardiovascular health in adults. Derived from microalgae via controlled fermentation process, our product ensures a high quality of DHA, without the environmental and contaminant concerns associated with fish oil.

Cargill’s vast scale and presence ensures that we can offer a long term, reliable and economically viable supply of DHA. Furthermore, our technical support team is there to guide your product development success and help overcome your application challenges.

* Carlson SE, Colombo J (2016) Adv. Pediatr 63, (453-471).
 

Our product delivers the following advantages for customers looking for an algae DHA supplier:

• Safety: Produced through controlled fermentation, the process ensures high consistency and food grade quality, making it a safe choice for infants and adults alike.
• High concentration: 40% concentration level targets brain and eye health benefits.
• Optimal sensory & oxidative stability: Ensuring optimal taste, avoiding fishy after taste, and maintaining DHA efficacy over time.
• Supply chain transparency & control: Our suppliers’ European-based supply chain ensures traceability and reliability, from algae cultivation to oil extraction and refining, providing peace of mind.
• Label-friendly certificates: Vegan, halal, non-GMO project (applicable for US only), enhance brand differentiation.
• Cost stability: Highly efficient and renewable algae supply chain makes DHA from algae more stable vs. fish, also due to rising fish oil prices driven by limited fish availability.