Nutritional deficiency is a huge problem across the globe, and often leads to a whole variety of health issues. While fortifying food with micronutrients is already a common practice among manufacturers,
scientists at Cambridge University’s Department of Zoology have joined forces with BioBullets, a Cambridge-based company, to fortify shellfish, such as clams, oysters and mussels.
Led by Dr David Aldridge and PhD student David Willer, the project has resulted in the first ever microcapsules—also referred to as Vitamin Bullets—that deliver nutrients to shellfish. The microcapsules, which are infused with nutrients specifically chosen for being beneficial to human health, are just the right size and shape to catch the eye of shellfish.
According to the team, supercharged oysters contain more than 150 times more vitamin D and approximately 100 times more vitamin A than their unfortified counterparts. Both vitamin A and D deficiencies are a massive problem in countries such as India where 85 percent of the population does not get enough vitamin D. Surprisingly, vitamin D deficiency is also an issue in the US, where more than 40 percent of people do not get enough of the nutrient.
“We have demonstrated a cheap and effective way to get micronutrients into a sustainable and delicious source of protein,” said Willer. “Targeted use of this technology in regions worst affected by nutrient deficiencies, using carefully selected bivalve species and micronutrients, could help improve the health of millions, while also reducing the harm that meat production is doing to the environment.”
Shellfish contain omega-3 fatty acids, which have been credited with a huge range of benefits, including lowering blood pressure and improving eye health. They are also a rich source of protein. Katrine Rubæk from sundt.uk said that natural shellfish are unlikely to be enough to address global malnutrition, however. “While the concept of fortified shellfish is a promising one for the future, right now people with limited access to nutritious food are best off taking supplements.”
The good news is that once in circulation, fortified seafood could make a huge difference in the lives of millions of people. This is particularly because shellfish are sustainable to farm and have a low environmental footprint—much lower than fish, animals, and even crops such as rice and wheat. When produced on a mass scale, shellfish are also highly affordable.
“We are very excited about BioBullets’ potential. We are now establishing links with some of the world’s biggest seafood manufacturers to drive a step change in the sustainability and nutritional value of the seafood that we consume,” said Aldridge said.
