Production process Testa Omega-3

Origin and production of Testa Omega-3 algae oil
Schizochytrium sp. is a micro algae that occurs in the mangrove forests in the South Pacific Ocean. It produces an oil rich in Omega-3 fatty acids in the form of EPA and DHA. The oil has been used for years in food or as a food supplement.

Schizochytrium is not produced in ponds, but cultivated in sterile fermentors under controlled conditions. As there is no impact from ocean pollution, the oil is free from heavy metals (such as mercury), dioxins and PCBs, that often occur in fish and fish oil.

A fermentation process is applied. Water and nutrients are added to the algae concentrate and the algae are being cultivated under certain circumstances. Fermentation is a widely used food production method.

The oil is received from the algae through a solvent-less process. The algae culture is pasteurised (cooked) so that the oil separates from the cells. The oil is then skimmed off the water phase. The oil is treated under as mild as possible conditions and mostly under vacuum to avoid contact with oxygen.  Then approved antioxidants are added to the oil to provide the stability. And finally the DHA and EPA percentages may be standardised by the addition of food grade vegetable oil.

Is the algae oil free from toxins and does it contain BMAA?

Is the algae oil free from toxins?
Yes! The algae we use (Schizochytrium sp.) is not grown in an open pond but cultivated in sterile fermenters under controlled conditions. Since there is no impact of environmental pollution on the algae it is free from residues like heavy metals, mercury, pesticides or dioxines, as found in many natural fish oils.

Does it contain BMAA?
It is not legal to claim BMAA-free on the packaging, because it is irrelevant. Just like gluten free can not be freely claimed. We want to emphasize that BMAA cannot be found in Testa Omega-3.

BMAA is known for cyanobacteria / blue green algae. It finds its way in the food chain through mussels and shrimps. Our algae are grown in clean water in closed tanks under GMP* norms.

*Good Manufacturing Practices.