Kina’s bioactive potential will be explored in a collaboration between East Coast biotechnology company Hikurangi Bioactives and Cawthron Institute’s bioactives research hub. The study will investigate the therapeutic potential of kīna (Evechinus chloroticus) to treat diabetes, heart disease and other serious conditions, and is supported by the Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge. Cawthron Institute technical consultant Dr Matt Miller says the work has been awarded $300,000 over two years as part of the National 12 SEPTEMBER 2017 Science Challenge’s valuable seas programme. “This project will produce the essential knowledge required to build a viable kīna extracts industry in Te Tairāwhiti (East Coast of the North Island),” he says. “Specifically, the research will establish benchmarks for yield and natural variations of bioactive content in wild kina, and provide data supporting its efficacy as a health-promoting food supplement.” Kīna are an important source of kaimoana and the research will focus on utilising the parts of the kīna that remain once the edible part has been removed. “We are very mindful of the importance placed on kīna by the hapū and whānau on the East Coast and around Aotearoa New Zealand,” Miller says. “This project has the potential to develop an industry around what at present is a waste product from the shellfish.” The first stage of the project involves consultation with hapū and sharing more detailed information with them about the scope and potential of the research. A number of hapū have already expressed KINA WASTE A POTENTIAL TREASURE FOR THE EAST COAST World-leading hot air equipment for the Food & Beverage industry For over 60 years Leister have been the world leader in the fi eld of plastic welding and industrial hot air applications. TYPICAL APPLICATIONS include activating, heating, curing, melting, shrinking, sterilising drying to name a few. carrgroup.co.nz FT292 Carr Group Food Tech Ad 1704 5H 210x50.indd 1 26/04/17 9:23 am
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