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Interview with Euglena

We interviewed Euglena Co., Ltd. via e-mail, one of the companies that is actually using euglena to solve social problems. We would like to thank Euglena Co., Ltd. and the person responsible for this interview for taking time out of their busy schedules to respond.
※The interview was conducted in Japanese. The translation into English was done independently by the production team of this website.

Questions and Answers

Q1: What are your thoughts on food products that focus on the taste of euglena?

Health food is also food, so of course we are constantly improving the taste.

Q2: Paramylon, which is contained in euglena, has been shown to be effective in activating immune cells. What are your thoughts on how this paramylon can be used?

Paramylon is contained in euglena products, so if you consume them, you will also receive the effects of paramylon as a result. Also, as you mentioned, research on paramylon is particularly advanced in terms of functionality (there are many examples of research), so we sell supplements that contain higher amounts of paramylon.

Q3: What are the strengths and advantages of feed made from euglena compared to existing feed such as fishmeal?

First of all, in terms of replacing fishmeal, any alternative material would have a reduced impact on the oceans and no worries about bioaccumulation of methyl mercury, microplastics, etc. Another advantage of euglena is that it is possible to utilize the residue left over after extracting lipids from euglena produced for biofuel. (If this residue is simply thrown away, it becomes industrial waste, which is expensive to process. Therefore, it is preferable to have a place to utilize the residue even at a very low price.

Q4: What are the strengths and advantages of euglena biofuels compared to biofuels such as bioethanol and biodiesel?

As an example of our strength, in the case of biofuel, the rate at which it can be used depends on the standard. In the case of the biodiesel produced by our company, it is a next-generation biodiesel fuel that can replace 100% of petroleum-derived light oil, so it can be introduced into buses and other vehicles using only 100% biofuel. 100% of this biofuel has been used by Isuzu Motors since April 1, 2020 to operate shuttle buses between Shonandai Station and the Isuzu Motors Fujisawa Plant.

Q5: I understand that you have a demonstration plant for the production of bio-jet diesel fuel. How do you plan to reduce costs in preparation for full-scale production?

About cost reduction, we were selected last year for the publicly offered project "Biojet Fuel Production Technology Development Project / Establishment of a Supply Chain Model through Demonstrations, and Development of Microalgae Fundamental Technology" by NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization), and we are accelerating overseas demonstration production tests of euglena.
（https://www.euglena.jp/news/20201005-2/）

Q6: It has been suggested that euglena might be useful for improving water quality. Please let us know if your company has any specific examples of its use.

At this point, I don't think we have any examples of using it.

Q7: What are the strengths and advantages of bioplastics made from euglena compared to petroleum-based plastics and bio-based plastics?

At this point, we do not have any major advantages in terms of physical properties or price, but as I mentioned in Q3, we are considering this as one of the ways to utilize the residue of euglena cultivated on a large scale for biofuel in the future.

Q8: Regarding bioplastics made from euglena, do you think it is possible to produce biodegradable plastics?

At this point, I can't give you too many details, but I think it could be possible as research progresses.

Q9: What made you want to work for your company and why?

I had been researching microalgae at university and graduate school, and I wanted to find a job that would allow me to utilize my background.

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