Qponics Limited

Qponics Limited (Qponics) is an agri-business company focused on the near-urban production of high-quality algal oil rich in EPA omega-3 and palmitoleic omega-7 fatty acids, and its by-product rich in protein, from cultivated algae. The Qponics marine microalgae farming process uses ultrafiltered brackish tidal river water and is not dependent on freshwater to operate. Therefore, the operation is a droughtproof form of agriculture in a world facing a future of worsening droughts and water shortages. Dietary deficiencies caused by our modern industrialised lifestyle are known to cause a number of diseases and abnormalities. In recent years deficiency in long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids known as omega-3s present in fish and algae has been associated with a wide and increasing variety of diseases, readily preventable or treatable through the use of food supplements. The major source of dietary omega-3 oil is presently fish and fish oil. Demand for high quality fish oil is increasing, however supply is unsustainable due to the decline in annual wild-catch fish production and the potential for depletion of natural fish resources within forty years. In recent years production of omega-3 oils from algae has emerged as a sustainable and safe source of vegetarian-acceptable omega-3 oils. The by-product of oil production is anticipated to be sold as an alternative protein food ingredient to food manufacturers, given the recent global interest in meat-like, pork-like, chicken-like and fish-like food products using plant-based proteins. Marine microalgae cultivation does not require freshwater and sustainably produces about 30 times more protein per hectare than broadacre crops such as soybeans and chickpeas.