The collaboration brings together research that Monsanto and The Solae Company, together with its majority owner, DuPont, have been conducting independently on soybeans containing high levels of Omega-3s, as well as Solae's work on stabilizing oil for food applications. The companies are committed to collaborating in the development of Omega-3 products, which will be marketed through Solae.

"There is a need to develop new solutions for delivering Omega-3 fatty acids in a wider variety of consumer products," said Tony Arnold, president and chief executive officer of The Solae Company. "Our goal is to accelerate the creation of a convenient, affordable and sustainable source of Omega-3 ingredients."

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential to human health but cannot be manufactured by the body. Consumer demand for these nutrients is growing as research continues to show diets rich in Omega-3s play an important role in maintaining health, including heart health.

The actual consumption of Omega-3s by humans is much lower than the recommendations of health associations all over the world. In the United States, consumption of long-chain Omega-3s is only one-fifth of American Heart Association recommendations.

Market researchers have projected sales of Omega-3-infused foods will grow at a 60% compounded annual rate from 2002 to 2011, prompting concerns that demand could soon outstrip supply and threaten fish stocks. This collaboration seeks to cultivate a new, more sustainable source of Omega-3 products that can be used as ingredients in many different food applications.

"Soybeans represent a renewable, land-based source of Omega-3s," said Jerry Steiner, executive vice president of Monsanto. "We believe this collaboration will allow us to bring to market a variety of sustainable Omega-3 ingredients that will nutritionally enhance foods that consumers already enjoy. We're excited about the possibilities."
From the March 13, 2007, Prepared Foods e-Flash