Stirling to analyse omega-3 samples for industry leader

Experts at the University of Stirling have signed a major new deal to provide omega-3 testing to a world leader in the sector.

Nutrition Analytical Service (NAS), based at the University’s Institute of Aquaculture, will process all European samples for American company OmegaQuant, which offers omega-3 testing to researchers, clinicians and members of the public.

Jason Polreis, Chief Executive Officer of OmegaQuant, said: “We are partnering with Nutritional Analytical Services at the Institute of Aquaculture at the University of Stirling to run our testing methods in their laboratory.

“This way we are offering the same accurate, precise and scientifically validated methods at our three laboratories covering North America, Asia Pacific and now Europe.”

He added: “We have had clients ask how they can get our omega-3 test panels in Europe and this will now allow us to service them and provide results in a timelier manner.”

New agreement is signed by Jason Polreis (front), CEO of OmegaQuant; Sara McDermid, Head of Innovation and Enterprise at the University of Stirling, and James Dick, Technical Manager at NAS.

Founded in 1998, the NAS is a commercial analytical service providing advice and analysis to the aquaculture, agriculture, food and drink, and human health sectors across the world. The service is internationally recognised as a centre of excellence for nutrition research, with a specific focus on lipids and fatty acids, including omega-3.

OmegaQuant’s omega-3 index test measures the amount of omega-3 in the blood and has been used in more than 200 clinical studies.

Welcoming the announcement, James Dick, NAS Technical Manager, said: “We are delighted to work with OmegaQuant to provide this important service to their European customers. We also look forward to providing this service to pharmaceutical companies, health professionals and pathology laboratories, which recognises the internationally-renowned expertise of both partners in testing for omega-3 fatty acids.

“We are looking forward to working with OmegaQuant on this exciting new partnership.”