Algae and Bioactives

We are experts in the production of bioactive compounds for commercial application and the generation of analytical standards.

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Algae and Bioactives

We are experts in the production of bioactive compounds for commercial application and the generation of standards.

Bioactive compounds are a significant and largely untapped resource that could provide new products and solutions to a range of industries, from pharmaceuticals to food production.​ Cawthron Institute researchers are strongly focused on realising the potential of marine bioactive resources, holding global expertise in the isolation, characterisation, extraction, cultivation and modification of bioactive compounds from a range of marine organisms including algae.

Production of Bioactive Compounds

​Cawthron Institute scientists work closely with industry and academic partners to identify and valorise New Zealand bioactive compounds with the goal of adding value to our ocean economy. We can support the entire bioactives value chain, from initial discovery and characterisation, to pilot scale production and synthetic modification of leads.  

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Generating Analytical Standards

A range of bioactive toxins are regularly isolated and used to generate analytical standards or reagents. The majority of the compounds are microalgal toxins involved in paralytic shellfish poisoning but additional toxins from both bacterial and terrestrial sources are also frequently produced.​ In addition to being a research provider, Cawthron Institute is also a global commercial supplier of toxin references and standards, producing on demand at high purities.

Cawthron-Bioactives-Generating Analytical Standards

Contact us about our bioactives research