{"id":3714,"date":"2023-11-27T16:09:28","date_gmt":"2023-11-27T16:09:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/biosciences\/?p=3714"},"modified":"2024-02-13T16:11:56","modified_gmt":"2024-02-13T16:11:56","slug":"kent-research-to-support-seaweed-project-in-zanzibar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.kent.ac.uk\/biosciences\/2023\/11\/27\/kent-research-to-support-seaweed-project-in-zanzibar\/","title":{"rendered":"Kent research to support seaweed project in Zanzibar"},"content":{"rendered":"

University researchers are helping county Kent-based seaweed technology business\u00a0Nutri-San<\/a>\u00a0develop new techniques to transform seaweed extracts into a plant-based thickening agent for use in the food and pharmaceutical industries. As part of this project, Nutri-san is opening a new\u00a0carrageenan<\/a>\u00a0factory on Pemba Island, Zanzibar.<\/strong><\/p>\n

During a signing ceremony of the Joint Venture Framework agreement between Zanzibar\u2019s state-owned seaweed company, ZASCO, and Nutri-San on 22 November,\u00a0<\/span>Kent\u2019s\u00a0Dr Rob Barker<\/a>\u00a0gave a short presentation on carrageenan extraction techniques to an audience of over 100 Zanzibarian Ministers and Government officials, as well as media outlets.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Nutri-San produces animal feed supplements from a blend of sustainable seaweeds and has been working with Alessia Buscaino, Professor of Fungal Biology at the University\u2019s\u00a0School of Biosciences,\u00a0<\/a><\/span>and the team at the Kent\u00a0<\/span>Biotech Hub<\/span><\/a>\u00a0for several years. An\u00a0Algae UK<\/a>\/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council<\/a>-funded initiative enabled the team to conduct research on Nutri-San\u2019s seaweed blends.\u00a0 This initial research led to the team exploring alternative uses for by-products from Nutri-San\u2019s production process, including the development of horticultural and agricultural bio-stimulants \u2013 something which Growing Kent & Medway have been keen to support.\u00a0 They have since developed a highly productive relationship and are excited that their collaboration is being broadened to include Dr Barker and his team.\u00a0 Together they will continue to work to drive innovation which impacts positively on people, animals and the planet.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The new factory will be one of only a small number of facilities globally that is capable of producing high quality carrageenan from red seaweeds. Nutri-San has been supporting the seaweed harvesting community on Zanzibar for a number of years and the company\u2019s diversification into carrageenan production will enable many more jobs to be created including key scientific and technical roles.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Professor Buscaino<\/a>\u00a0said: \u2018The partnership between the University and Nutri-San has been made possible by the Growing Kent & Medway consortium and it demonstrates how academia and business can work synergistically to great effect, for the immense benefit of both institutions.\u00a0<\/span>Our involvement with the commercial operation of Nutri-San in Zanzibar is exciting and we are also excited to announce that Dr Michelle Marin Chau, Nutri-San co-founder, has become an honorary member of staff at Kent. Her unique insights and experienced leadership will be an invaluable asset to us as we work together towards creating positive change.\u2019<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

San Chau, Nutri-San-CEO, added: \u2018We have been very fortunate to have developed a relationship with the University of Kent through our research collaborations with Professor Alessia Buscaino and her team, both in the School of Biosciences and at Growing Kent and Medway, which now spans several years.\u00a0 Recently, this relationship has been extended to encompass more members of the Kent team.\u00a0 Going forward together our partnership will have benefits for the community not only in Kent but also globally and we are hugely excited about this.\u2019<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n