Cyanotech Announces Expansion of Its Natural Astaxanthin Production; Strong Demand Is Creating Order Backlog.Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii--(BW HealthWire)--Dec. 20, 2001 Cyanotech Corporation (Nasdaq: CYAN), today announced that it is undertaking an expansion of its astaxanthin production capacity by approximately 60% as a result of current and projected future demand for its NatuRose(R) and BioAstin(R) natural astaxanthin products. The Company is operating its current astaxanthin production facility at capacity as a result of strong demand for both products. Cyanotech expects to have the increased capacity in operation during its fourth fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2002. "Due to successful fish feeding trials, overseas demand for our NatuRose feed ingredient has increased significantly," said Kelly Moorhead, Cyanotech's Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "In addition, several national supplement companies are launching products containing Cyanotech's BioAstin ingredient. With a growing body of scientific evidence supporting human applications, we are seeing a substantial increase in new orders. Cyanotech is uniquely positioned to capitalize on Cap´i`tal`ize on` v. t. 1. To turn (an opportunity) to one's advantage; to take advantage of (a situation); to profit from; as, to capitalize on an opponent's mistakes s>. this expanding market." The additional production capacity will come from the conversion of Spirulina spirulina Any cyanobacteria in the genus Spirulina. A traditional food source in parts of Africa and Mexico, spirulina is an exceptionally rich source of vitamins, minerals, and protein, and one of the few nonanimal sources of vitamin B12. culture ponds to astaxanthin culture ponds. The cost of this conversion is not expected to be significant and should be completed in 4 to 6 weeks. Cyanotech's astaxanthin production facility was constructed in 1997 at a cost of approximately $6 million and includes 15 acres of proprietary microalgae growing systems and a state-of-the-art processing facility. The production expansion will increase the number of 140,000 gallon astaxanthin culture ponds from 15 to 25 while utilizing the existing processing facility. -- Cyanotech Corporation, the world's leader in microalgae technology, produces high-value natural products from microalgae, and is the world's largest commercial producer of natural astaxanthin (pronounced "asta-zan-thin") from microalgae. Products include BioAstin(R) natural astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant antioxidant, substance that prevents or slows the breakdown of another substance by oxygen. Synthetic and natural antioxidants are used to slow the deterioration of gasoline and rubber, and such antioxidants as vitamin C (ascorbic acid), butylated hydroxytoluene with expanding applications as a human nutraceutical nu·tra·ceu·ti·cal n. A food or naturally occurring food supplement thought to have a beneficial effect on human health. nutraceutical ; NatuRose(R) natural astaxanthin for the aquaculture aquaculture, the raising and harvesting of fresh- and saltwater plants and animals. The most economically important form of aquaculture is fish farming, an industry that accounts for an ever increasing share of world fisheries production. and animal feed industries; Spirulina Pacifica(R), a nutrient-rich dietary supplement Noun 1. dietary supplement - something added to complete a diet or to make up for a dietary deficiency diet - a prescribed selection of foods vitamin pill - a pill containing one or more vitamins; taken as a dietary supplement ; and phycobiliproteins, which are fluorescent fluorescent having the quality of fluorescence. fluorescent antibody see fluorescence microscopy. fluorescent antibody test see fluorescence microscopy. pigments used in the immunological immunologic, immunological emanating from or pertaining to immunology. immunologic competence see immunocompetence. immunologic domains diagnostics market. Spirulina and BioAstin are sold directly online through www.nutrex-hawaii.com and through resellers worldwide. Corporate and product information is available at www.cyanotech.com |
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