"The population over the age of 65 is predicted to double by 2070, increasing the incidence of age-related diseases and will put additional pressure on the medical and societal care infrastructure. Long term, cost-effective strategies are required to decrease the prevalence (and societal burden) of obesity and its associated co-morbidities, and to reduce the incidence and impact of age-related disorders and cancer on the quality of life of an ageing population. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) refers to a mixture of various forms (isomers) of the omega-6 unsaturated fatty acid, linoleic acid. The safety and health benefits of CLA are documented in \>4000 scientific publications, and \>100 human studies have been published. It is an essential nutrient not produced by the body and not present in sufficient amounts in food, thus requiring dietary supplementation. CLA is commercially produced by chemical conversion of linoleic acid or oils rich in linoleic acid (sunflower and saffron) as a mixture of four isomers that cannot be separated cost-effectively. The different isomers may exhibit additive, independent or antagonistic physiological effects. Pure isomers are not commercially available; thus, most studies on humans and animals were performed with isomer mixtures, which obscured the results and hinders elucidation of the mechanisms through which the individual isomers exert their health effects. One of these CLA isomers has potent anti-obesity, anti-cancer, anti-osteoporosis and anti-atherosclerosis activity, while improving energy balance and maintaining lean muscle. However, its beneficial effects are reduced in the presence of the other isomers which may also have undesirable effects. Thus, for medical purposes, this desired isomer in pure form is urgently required as a low-cost preventative and curative treatment for a wide variety of metabolic disorders. This project will investigate a novel route to produce these CLA isomers in pure form as a first step to provide cost-effective treatments for cancer, obesity and age-related disorders. VideraBio, a UK-based SMME, and BrisSynBio (a UK Synthetic Biology Centre) will collaborate to deliver this cutting-edge innovation."

A new manufacturing process will be evaluated for the sustainable production of natural aldehyde-based flavours and fragrances from renewable feedstocks (seed-oil processing by-product streams). These aldehdyes are among the most important ingredients used in perfumery and as aromas in hair care products, cleaning, laundry, and personal care products, and as ingredients in processed foods. Aldehydes also have applications as lubricants, insect traps, pharmaceuticals, plant growth regulators, antimicrobials and disinfectants. These compounds are currently produced at large scale from petrochemical raw materials. In addition to being derived from unsustainable resources, the chemical synthesis from petrochemicals result in the formation of by-products with unpleasant odours that are costly to remove and which limit their application. Biotechnological production of aldehydes has not been possible to date due to the inhibitory nature of the compounds to microbial cells. The proposed production technology will overcome these challenges by exploiting a novel yeast to convert plant fatty acids to useful aldehyde products.

The production of rapeseed oil generates low value streams rich in natural compounds that can be used as starting materials to produce high value compounds for the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and cosmetics industries. This project will utilise a food grade yeast to convert the compounds in these waste streams to high value products that can be used as nutritional supplements, and as active pharmaceutical ingredients for the synthesis of a wide variety of drugs that are critical for human health. If successful, it will provide a more sustainable route for the manufacturing of these products, add value to the UK’s rapeseed oil industry and launch new start-up companies in high value manufacturing.