On July 17, 2024, Kengo Suzuki, President of Tsunan Sake Brewery, delivered a lecture titled “Research and Social Implementation of Microalgae” in the Advanced Interdisciplinary Science course at Kyushu University’s Graduate School of Science. During this lecture, he introduced the potential of green sake.
Potential Use of Euglena in Fermentation
Euglena, a microalga rich in nutrients and considered an environmentally friendly resource, is gaining attention for its wide range of potential applications, including food, feed, biofuels, and cosmetics. Its role as a sustainable resource is particularly emphasized. Notably, Euglena powder, under the concept of green fermentation, is known to enhance the activity of various fermentation microorganisms, suggesting its potential application in the brewing industry.
Introduction of Sake
Tsunan Sake Brewery is actively expanding not only within Japan but also in overseas markets. In 2024, the company has been advancing its business development in Europe and Asia, aiming to promote Japanese sake culture and its products through partnerships and joint research with local companies. The company is also pushing forward with research and development to integrate Euglena into the sake production process from a global perspective. This includes the development of new products and technologies that contribute to solving environmental and food issues from a regenerative standpoint.
About the Advanced Interdisciplinary Science Course at Kyushu University’s Graduate School of Science
Kyushu University’s Graduate School of Science offers a graduate education program as a cross-disciplinary educational initiative. This program includes two courses: the “Front Researcher Development Program,” aimed at training cutting-edge researchers, and the “Advanced Scientist Development Program,” focused on cultivating highly knowledgeable professionals. The Advanced Interdisciplinary Science course, part of these programs, features lectures delivered in a relay format by lecturers active on the front lines of industry and research institutions.
Through this course, students are expected to gain concrete images of working in companies or as researchers and to reflect on their future career paths. In Suzuki’s lecture, he discussed research on microalgae and fermentation microorganisms, as well as career paths, aiming to help students consider their own future directions.
Through this lecture, students may have gained insights into the appeal and potential of microalgae research. Tsunan Sake Brewery intends to continue providing scientific information through such educational programs, contributing to the development of the next generation of researchers and business professionals.
About Tsunan Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.
Tsunan Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. is a sake brewery located in Akinari, Tsunan Town, Nakauonuma District, Niigata Prefecture. Known for its heavy snowfall, this region uses natural spring water from 2,000-meter-high mountains for sake production. Utilizing local specialty sake rice “Gohyakumangoku,” the brewery engages in sake brewing in harmony with nature under the brand concept “Brew for Future – Brewing a Coexisting Future.” Since 2023, with a new management structure, the brewery aims to create new value by integrating the brewery with science and expanding overseas.
https://tsunan-sake.com