Participated in "Space Food X" started by Euglena
We will work on the development of new food resources in space utilizing the technology of mass culture of microalgae.

Euglena Co., Ltd.

　Euglena Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, President: Mitsuru Izumo) participated in "Space Food X", which is part of the JAXA co-creation type research and development program "Space Innovation Partnership (J-SPARC)" ^{* 1.} We are pleased to announce that we will promote the development of new microalgae culture technology and food resources in space and on the earth. * 1: A new R & D program in which JAXA and private businesses form partnerships and jointly aim to create space-related businesses.

　"Space Food X" is planned and operated by the Euglena Group Real Tech Fund, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and Sigmaxis Co., Ltd., and more than 30 companies, universities, research institutes, and experts participate. This is a program aimed at solving problems related to food production and supply in space and on the earth and creating markets at an early stage. From our company, researchers led by Kengo Suzuki, an Executive Officer in charge of research and development, will participate in "Space Food X" on the theme of food production, and will contribute to the formulation of scenarios for the creation of the space food market. Based on this scenario, we plan to work on the development of new microalgae culture technology and food resources in space and on the earth.
　The details are as follows.

Participation in "Space Food X"

■ About "Space Food X"
　This is a co-creation program that aims to solve the problem of "food", which is a common problem between space and the earth, by making the best use of Japan's excellent technology and food culture. Planned and operated by Real Tech Fund, JAXA, and Sigmaxis, a wide variety of key people and professionals from more than 30 companies (as of March 27, 2019), universities, research institutes, etc. gather, cross-disciplinary and organic. We will promote research and development and business creation through collaboration. In this way, we will create a space food-related market, which is a huge growth market, at an early stage, and contribute to the realization of a sustainable and well-being future human society.

■ About the background and role of Euglena Co., Ltd.
〇 Background
　In recent years, research and business development related to manned space development and travel have expanded, and there is an increasing demand for highly efficient self-sufficiency of food in space where resources are limited. Microalgae boast extremely excellent production efficiency in the production of proteins and various nutrients, and are thought to be ideal food resources in space. Under such circumstances, in 2005, we succeeded in establishing the world's first edible outdoor mass culture technology for microalgae Euglena (Japanese name: Euglena) on Ishigaki Island, and in addition, culture technology for chlorella, spirulina, etc. I also own it. ^{We are also working on the development of culture technology using a culture bag * 2} that assumes the cultivation of algae in space, and we are now participating in "Space Food X" under the theme of food production. * 2: A bag used when culturing microalgae.

Photo 1: Culture module (image)

〇 Role
　Our researchers, led by Executive Officer Kengo Suzuki, who is in charge of research and development, will participate in "Space Food X" under the theme of food production, and will contribute to the formulation of scenarios for the creation of the space food market. Based on this scenario, we will utilize our mass culture technology for various algae to develop microalgae culture technology and food resources in space. Specifically, we are proceeding with research on the algorithm "Algae Nutrition Formula ^{TM * 3}" that aims to realize a complete nutritional diet by combining multiple microalgae, and using this algorithm and vital data, we will continue to lack nutrients in the space environment. We aim to realize a production module that supplements the above. * 3: An algorithm that calculates the percentage of algae that can maximize the intake of necessary nutrients by combining multiple microalgaes.

　　　　　　　　　Photo 2: Steak using the Euglena　　　　　　　　 Photo 3: Algae drink server (image)

Figure: Euglena, Chlorella, Spirulina and nutritional balance image of algae mix

<About microalgae Euglena (Japanese name: Euglena)>
　Microalgae Euglena is a type of algae similar to wakame seaweed, kelp, and chlorella. It has the characteristics of both animals and plants, and contains 59 types of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and unsaturated fatty acids in a well-balanced manner. I'm out. In addition, various physiological effects such as immune balance regulation function have been confirmed for the unique component paramylon ^{* 4}, and it is thought that it can contribute to human activities in space. Furthermore, it has been confirmed that microalgae Euglena is particularly resistant to radiation among microalgae ^{* 5}, and is expected to be effective in solving the problem of carbon material cycle in limited resources and closed environment. It is a biogeochemical material suitable for use in space. * 4: Released on March 16, 2018. * 5: Research by the Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute and the National Institute of Radiological Sciences has shown that Euglena has radiation resistance, and even the most lethal radiation does not affect growth.

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Euglena Co., Ltd. Corporate Communication Division