A new species of microalgae, Euglena gracilis, has been placed on the list of Novel Foods, i.e., new foods and food ingredients allowed in the European Union. However, authorization for its use in the EU-for five years, effective 23.12.20-was issued only to its first applicant Kemin Foods L.C. (2100 Maury Street Des Moines, IA 50317. Iowa, USA). A superfood exclusive.
Euglena gracilis, 60 years of research
Scientific studies on Euglena gracilis began in 1960, at the biology department of Brandeis University (Massachusetts, USA). In the following decades, research has followed the5Fs approach(5Fs of Biomass). Orienting toward the development and production of Food, Fiber, Feed, Fertilizer, and Fuel. Food, fiber, feed, fertilizer and fuel–as well as cosmetics–from the biomass of a single unicellular microorganism.
The versatility of use of this microalgae, the success of its large-scale cultivation outdoors, and the development of methods for harvesting and drying have encouraged production in Japan since 2007. (1) With appreciable results precisely in its dietary destiny, thanks to the health-as well as nutritional properties that characterize Euglena gracilis.
Superfood exclusive
Kemin Foods L.C. is an industrial giant founded in 1961, with industries in 9 countries and market in more than 120, more than 2,800 employees worldwide. It makes more than 500 products including functional ingredients (for food and supplements, feed and pet food), organic soil conditioners and phytochemicals (based on microalgae and essential oils, e.g., thyme and rosemary), antimicrobials, and sustainable chemicals for the textile industry.
The Iowa giant, like few others, has the resources to meet the extraordinary burdens prescribed by the European legislature to submit an application for a novel food permit. And the assertion of industrial property rights to some studies (90-day dietary toxicity in rats, etc.) was successful in obtaining exclusivity for use in the EU of Euglena gracilis products (under EU reg. 2283/15, Article 26.2.b).
Permitted food uses in the EU
Regulation (EU) 2020/1820, in line with the EFSA scientific evaluation 25.3.20, added to the list of novel food the ‘Dried biomass of the alga Euglena gracilis‘ (2.3). ‘The new food consists of dried whole cells of Euglena, or dried biomass of the microalga Euglena gracilis.’ And it is produced by fermentation followed by filtration and a process of thermal death of the microalgae to ensure the absence of viable cells in the food. (3)
Its use is permitted in a number of food categories for the general population. Breakfast, granola and protein bars, yogurt and yogurt drinks. But
also fruit juices, smoothies and nectars, vegetable juices, and fruit-flavored drinks. As well as meal replacement drinks, substitutes of the entire daily food ration for weight control intended only for adults (ex EU reg. 2019/1798), food supplements. (3)
Euglena gracilis, nutritional properties
The microalga Euglena gracilis has extraordinary nutritional properties that are also of great interest to vegetarian and vegan diets. In fact, its protein supply equals and in some cases exceeds the amounts found in various foods of animal origin. And it ensures, at the same time, the presence of all 20 essential amino acids.
Vitamin E (α-tocopherol) is in turn present in considerable amounts, outweighing many vegetable oils including excellent quality extra virgin olive oil. Then vitamins A and C are added, which in synergy with vitamin E exert effective antioxidant action. And Omega 3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), with well-known virtues for nutrition and health. (4)
Fig. 1. Industrial potential of Euglena gracilis and commercially available bioproducts (Gissibl et al., 2019)
Paramylon, a miraculous prebiotic fiber
Paramylon is a polysaccharide (β-glucan) peculiar to the genus Euglena, present in the microalga in very high amounts (up to 90 percent of dry weight). A prebiotic fiber, such as the beta-glucans found in some grains (e.g., “the oats, barley, rye) from which, however, it differs because it has only a linear chain, crystallizes to form insoluble granules and is composed exclusively of glucose. (5)
β-glucans are known for their ability to reduce ‘bad cholesterol’ in the blood. They are, moreover, noteworthy and also for immune-system boosting properties, such as antioxidant or immunostimulatory action against pathogens and even antitumor. Because of its structure, paramylon is not degraded in the body and can exert its effect for a longer period, especially that of fiber, which also helps in the removal of dangerous carcinogens that can be a cause of colon cancer. (6)
Paramylon and the immune system
Researchers from CNR and the University of Pisa, through in vitro tests, observed how paramylon was more efficient in activating innate immune responses, compared with a β-glucan product obtained from yeast. Binding to different cellular receptors, including pathogen receptors, allows more accurate control of the cytokine response as an inflammatory response (7,8).
Fig. 2. Market value of products obtained from Euglena gracilis (Suzuki, 2017)
The gut microbiota in turn, thanks to Euglena gracilis and its paramylon, selectively develops microorganisms that are also useful in reducing inflammatory susceptibility and the incidence of colitis, as well as improving the immune system. (9)
Therapeutic properties
The therapeutic properties of Euglena gracilis have been demonstrated in its ability to lessen the incidence and greatly shorten the recovery time ofUpper Respiratory TractInfection (URTI) and related influences. (10) Therefore, this microalga, like the others discussed above, could also provide support in the management of Covid-19 causing URTIs.
A recent double-blind randomized clinical trial versus placebo (Nakashima et al., 2020) then shows Euglena ‘s ability to positively regulate the autonomic nervous system, best restore various stress-related problems (sleep and concentration disorders), and ensure the homeostasis necessary for numerous biological functions. (11) The EOD-1 strain is the most promising in, among other things, ensuring an increase in immunoglobulin A, which is useful in carrying out antifungal activity against microorganisms of the genus Candida, which can cause oral or intimate infections, and Aspergillus, the cause of lung and bronchial infections. (12)
Interim conclusions
The nutritional and health-promoting properties of the microalgae Euglena gracilis undoubtedly allow it to be enrolled in the ranks of superfoods. (13) Authorization for its food use in the EU will be able to promote its market dissemination and hopefully also research. So that other operators, without the need to report to Kemin Foods L.C.’s secret studies, can also get the green light for its use by all. (14)
Dario Dongo and Andrea Adelmo Della Penna
Notes
(1) Suzuki (2017) Large-scale cultivation of Euglena. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology 979:285-293, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-54910-1_14
(2) European Food Safety Authority (2020). Safety of dried whole cell Euglena gracilis as a novel food pursuont to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. EFSA Journal 18(5):e06100, https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2020.6100
(3) Reg. EU 2020/1820 authorizing the placing on the market of dried Euglena gracilis as a novel food under Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 and amending Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/IT/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32020R1820&qid=1610233296937
(4) Gissibl et al. (2019). Bioproducts from Euglenia gracilis: synthesis and applications. Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol. 7:108, doi:10.3389/fbioe.2019.00108
(5) Daglio et al. (2019). Paramylon and synthesis of its ionic derivatives: Applications as pharmaceutical tablet disintegrants and as colloid flocculants. Carbohydrate Research 484:107779, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carres.2019.107779
(6) Nakashima et al. (2018) β-glucan in foods and its physiological functions. J. Nutr. Sci. Vitaminol. 64(1):8-17, doi:10.3177/jnsv.64.8
(7) Russo et al. (2017). Euglena gracilis paramylon activates human lymphocytes by upregulating pro-inflammatory factors. Food Sci. Nutr. 5(2):205-214, doi:10.1002/fsn3.383
(8) Yasuda et al. (2020) Euglena gracilis and β-glucan paramylon induce Ca2+ signaling in intestinal tract epithelial, immune and neural cells . Nutrients 12:2293, doi:10.3390/nu12082293
(9) Taylor et al. (2020) Dynamics of structural and functional changes in gut microbiota during treatment with a microalgal β-glucan, paramylon and the impact of gut inflammation . Nutrients 12:2193, doi:10.3390/nu12082193
(10) Evans et al. (2019) Effect of a Euglena gracilis fermentate on immune function in healthy, active adults: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial . Nutrients 11:2926, doi:10.3390/nu11122926
(11) Nakashima et al. (2020) Effects of Euglena gracilis intake on mood and autonomic activity under mental workload, and subjective sleep quality: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial . Nutrients 12:3243, doi:10.3390/nu12113243
(12) Ishibashi et al. (2019) Effects of Euglena gracilis EOD-1 ingestion on salivary IgA and health-related quality of life in humans. Nutrients 11:1144, doi:10.3390/nu11051144
(13) Rodriguez-Zavala et al. (2010) Increased synthesis of a-tocopherol, paramylon and tyrosine by Euglena gracilis under conditions of high biomass production. J. Appl. Microbiol. 109:2160–2172, doi:10.1111/j.1365-2672.2010.04848.x
(14) With good memory of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources and for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA, https://www.minambiente.it/sites/default/files/archivio/allegati/biodiversita/trattato_internazionale_risorse_fitogenetiche.pdf), which the European Novel Food legislature-always serving Big Food-seems to have completely overlooked. Recognizing pseudo-patent rights not only to ‘novel foods’ proper, but also to natural plant genetic resources
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
Graduated in Food Technologies and Biotechnologies, qualified food technologist, he follows the research and development area. With particular regard to European research projects (in Horizon 2020, PRIMA) where the FARE division of WIISE Srl, a benefit company, participates.
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