The acquisition, which is expected to be completed in early May, will see Euglena take over Kobelco Eco-Solutions’ Euglena gracilis EOD-1 microalgae cultivation and ingredient business, as well as its supplement brand Micarea.
Euglena gracilis EOD-1 is used as a functional ingredient in supplements for its high content of paramylon.
Paramylon is a β-1,3-glucan polysaccharide produced by microalgae like Euglena gracilis as an intracellular storage substance.
In Japan, paramylon derived from the Euglena gracilis EOD-1 strain is approved for use in Foods with Function Claim (FFC) for maintaining immune function.
Euglena said that the ingredient was also the first in Japan to be accepted as a dietary fiber functional ingredient with immune benefits.
“It has been shown to act on both innate and adaptive immunity...Its novelty lies in its ability to target monocytes, which are innate immune cells, and naive T cells, which are adaptive immune cells,” said Euglena in a press release on the acquisition. “This acquisition is a strategic decision to incorporate this immunological evidence into our research base and to develop paramylon as a multifunctional material that starts with immunity.”
Following the acquisition, Euglena will begin selling EOD-1 strain powder as a raw material and offering it as part of the company’s OEM service.
Euglena is also developing an alternative product to Micarea’s existing paramylon supplement and aims to launch it within six months.
“Micarea will continue selling its current product for the time being, and the plan is to gradually discontinue sales of its current inventory within six months from early May, when the acquisition is scheduled to be completed,” said Euglena.
Green vs Golden Euglena
Euglena itself is already a producer of “green euglena” microalgae, while Euglena gracilis EOD-1 by Kobelco Eco-Solutions is a “golden euglena” microalgae.
Aside from the color difference, the two microalgae are cultivated in different environments.
Euglena said that its “green euglena” microalgae was cultivated outdoors on Ishigaki Island, while the “golden euglena” was grown via heterotrophic cultivation in indoor sealed tanks where photosynthesis is not involved.
The latter is said to contain more than 70% paramylon, and research and product development have been progressing on its effects on immunity and fatigue.
“By combining the research results, intellectual property, and cultivation technologies of both companies, we will be able to provide the value of Euglena more broadly and deeply, from daily nutritional bases to high-performance ingredients that address the complex health challenges of modern people, such as immunity, fatigue, sleep, and stress,” said Euglena.
Euglena itself has also used paramylon derived from “green euglena” in producing FFC, with 26 product listings found on Plusaid - a database containing information on FFC.
Some of these products are for sleep, fatigue and stress, as well as reducing abdominal fat and waist circumference in individuals with a higher body mass index.
As part of the acquisition, Euglena plans to buy over domestic and international patents, research data and trademarks such as “EOD-1” and “Golden Euglena.”
It also plans to develop a more stable and competitive supply system by utilizing both outdoor and indoor systems for cultivating Euglena gracilis EOD-1.
Scientific findings on Golden Euglena
Findings published in the Journal of Functional Foods in 2023 reported that the supplementation of paramylon derived from Euglena gracilis EOD-1 for 12 weeks could suppress the onset of cold-like symptoms in healthy adults.
The clinical trial involved 24 adults randomized to take 350mg of paramylon derived from Euglena gracilis EOD-1 or a placebo daily.
Their physical condition, cytokine proteomics, and high-parameter immune profiling were measured to assess the effects of paramylon derived from Euglena gracilis EOD-1.
Researchers reported that the intervention group exhibited a higher number of cumulative good health days, increased CD28 expression in CD4+/CD8+naïve T cells and maintained CD80 expression in monocytes as compared to the placebo group.
“The immunomodulatory effect of PM EOD-1 is involved in enhancing CD80 and CD38 of monocytes, thereby making them in an active state. The effect of PM EOD-1 is also involved in making CD4+/CD8+naïve T cells active state by enhancing CD28 and CD38 on them," wrote the researchers.
