Space Seed Holdings Ltd. has subscribed to a private placement of new shares by the BUTTERFLY PEA LABORATORY and has made a capital participation.
The company has made a capital participation by subscribing to a third-party allotment of new shares by BUTTERFLY PEA LABORATORY (Head office: Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture; President: Wang Penglong; hereinafter ‘BUTTERFLY PEA LABORATORY’).
Background to capital participation
Okinawa is globally renowned for its culture of longevity and unique natural environment, and the wide variety of plants grown locally is believed to be a contributing factor to this longevity. Butterfly pea flowers, in particular, are gaining attention due to their high nutritional value and anti-aging-related functional properties. Space Seed Holdings has decided to collaborate with BUTTERFLY PEA LABORATORY in terms of funding and research and development to ensure that these potentials are actively harnessed in society.
Objectives of capital participation
Through its capital investment in BUTTERFLY PEA LABORATORY, the company aims to enhance basic research and product development related to butterfly peas, and to contribute to society through business development. Ternatin, a type of anthocyanin found in butterfly peas, is particularly drawing global attention. This ternatin is a powerful antioxidant with a wide range of potential health benefits, including reducing inflammation and protecting eyesight. Further research into this compound is expected to lead to new healthcare products, pharmaceutical applications, and ultimately, future applications for life in space.
What is Butterfly pea
It is called ‘butterfly pea’ because its blue flowers resemble the shape of a butterfly, and its Japanese name is ‘butterfly bean’. It contains high levels of the antioxidant polyphenol anthocyanin and is attracting attention for its anti-ageing effects due to its high antioxidant activity and for its ability to improve blood circulation and prevent eye strain. The photograph below shows butterfly pea flowers in bloom.
The following photos show butterfly pea cultivation in Okinawa, Japan.
Butterfly pea petals contain enzymes that exhibit high glycosyltransferase activity for anthocyanidins (*1) such as delphinidin. Among anthocyanin pigments, the acylated anthocyanin pigments with aromatic organic acids bound in butterfly peas, especially polyacylated anthocyanin pigments with two or more aromatic organic acids, are attracting attention as natural coloring agents due to their high stability.
（※１）Anthocyanidins bound to sugars and organic acids are called anthocyanins. Anthocyanidins are unstable, but when bound to sugars and organic acids, they become stable and easily soluble in water.
The next photo shows butterfly pea pigment being extracted from a plastic bottle.
The following photo shows the pigment of the butterfly peas extracted in the photo above.
The natural pigment can be used to dye foods, beverages, and various other items blue, allowing for the expression of a vivid blue color without the use of coloring agents. The color changes from blue to purple when lemon or seekworser is added, making it a hot topic on SNS and other social networking sites. The blue color is reminiscent of the blue ocean of Okinawa, and is attracting attention as a new prefectural product of Okinawa. The following photo shows an example of butterfly pea pigment adjusted to a beverage.
About BUTTERFLY PEA LABORATRY, Inc.
Founded in Okinawa, Japan in 2021, the company succeeded in establishing the first mass cultivation technology of butterfly peas in Japan. With the corporate philosophy of “making people and the earth healthier through the supply of butterfly peas,” the company promotes the sixth industrialization of butterfly peas mainly in Japan, develops and sells beverages, foods, cosmetics, and other products utilizing butterfly peas, etc., and conducts research and development related to butterfly peas.
Representative: Wang Penglong
Head Office: 2-3-1, Meikari, Naha City, Okinawa, Japan
Business activities: Sixth industrialization of butterfly peas, research and development
Establishment: February 2021
About Space Seed Holdings
Space Seed Holdings Ltd. is working to solve social issues through the exploration of new technology themes, investment in start-ups and joint research with universities, with the mission of "turning science fiction into non-fiction". Ultimately, the company aims to work with various stakeholders to develop the technologies necessary for living in outer space. In the future, we plan to actively provide new services and products to address social issues while continuing a science-based dialogue with society based on 'science' x 'narrative', utilizing our in-house academic knowledge and networks.