Confirmed rotavirus growth inhibitory effect of microalgae Euglena
-Expect new progress as a countermeasure against rotavirus that causes infectious gastroenteritis-

Euglena Co., Ltd.

Euglena Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, President: Mitsuru Izumo) has confirmed the research results suggesting the growth-suppressing effect of rotavirus * 1 in the extract of Euglena I will inform you. The research results were announced at the patent application on March 4, 2016 and at the 70th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Nutrition and Food Science held on May 14, 2016.

　Rotavirus is known as the virus that causes infectious gastroenteritis. Although vaccines against some rotaviruses exist, there are ineffective species, so measures other than vaccines and drugs are required.
　In this test, Euglena powder was added during rotavirus culture, and the subsequent growth status was measured. As a result, it was confirmed that rotavirus growth was suppressed according to the concentration of the extract of Euglena
　Going forward, we will continue to carry out research and development with the aim of increasing the added value of the Euglena

About the rotavirus growth inhibitory effect of the microalga Euglena

■ Research content
　Rotavirus was adsorbed on the renal cells of rhesus monkeys, and the cells were placed in a medium supplemented with extracts of Euglena As a result, it was confirmed that the growth of rotavirus was significantly suppressed at Euglena
　In addition, an experiment was conducted to confirm at which stage of the rotavirus growth process the growth was suppressed. Euglena powder extract was divided into the virus adsorption time and the one cycle (16 hours) required for virus growth divided into four, and the rotavirus activity was confirmed at each time point. As a result, it was suggested that the growth of rotavirus may be suppressed especially at the stage of virus invasion and unshelling * 2 that occurs in the early stage of culture (red frame in Fig. 2).

■ Consideration
　This study Euglena has a rotavirus growth inhibitory effect.

* 1 Rotavirus is a virus that causes infectious gastroenteritis, which is a gastrointestinal disease, and is generally known as a cause of infantile diarrhea and vomiting and diarrhea. Rota
　　　　　　　　　　　The virus is extremely infectious, and almost all children are infected with rotavirus by the age of 5 even in developed countries with well-established hygiene.
　　　　　　　　　　　Is said to be infected. (Source: Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare) Hundreds of thousands of children are dying every year, mainly in developing countries, all over the world.
　　　　　　　　　　　(Source: WHO)
* 2 Unshelling is the process of releasing nucleic acid (genetic information) from the virus into cells during the growth stage of the virus.

Figure 1: Rotavirus growth inhibition rate of Euglena
(Control is 0% inhibition rate)

Figure 2: Rotavirus growth inhibitory effect at each growth stage

​ ​

-Contact for inquiries from the press-
Euglena Co., Ltd. Public Relations and IR Division