Biochemist Daniel Garama, who graduates from the University
of Otago with a PhD today, looks at sea urchin shells.
Photo by Craig Baxter.
Daniel Garama has realised his dream of becoming a
biochemist and his research on sea urchins could help develop a
lucrative aquaculture export industry.
Mr Garama (30) will today gain a doctorate from the
University of Otago, as one of about 350 graduands in all
disciplines who will graduate in person in a 3pm ceremony at
the Regent Theatre.
"Obviously, I'm proud," he said yesterday.
He felt "a sense of fulfilment" to have finally reached his
goal, after many years of hard work.
"But I haven't achieved it by myself."
Mr Garama, who grew up in Invercargill and is of Ngai Tahu
descent, said many people, including friends, family and
university colleagues, had provided crucial support.
His research, involving the colour of kina (sea urchin) roe,
has been highly multi-disciplinary as can be seen from his
supervisors: Dr Alan Carne, of the biochemistry department;
food science department head Prof Phil Bremer; and marine
science Associate Prof Mike Barker.
University officials said sea urchin roe was regarded as a
delicacy in Japan, where it was eaten raw as sushi, and
top-quality Japanese roe could fetch up to $1200 a kg there.
However, the colour of New Zealand kina roe was inconsistent
and often darker than the bright yellow-orange colour
considered most desirable in the Japanese market.
Mr Garama has studied the way carotenoids, pigment molecules
in the kina's seaweed diet, were modified in the kina gut and
ovaries, and shown how changes in diet could help produce
favourable changes in colour.
Prof Bremer said high-quality roe from New Zealand could, in
future, fetch $400 to $500 a kilogram as an export product.
Mr Garama's research was academically valuable and could also
help in developing a potentially lucrative export industry.
"It shows the kina industry a strategy they could use to
enhance the colour of the roe," he said.
Mr Garama said in fishing circles, kina, which grow on rocks
in coastal areas, including Fiordland, were sometimes
regarded as a pest because they ate kelp beds, but actually
could provide high-value exports.
He is keen to pursue his research, including through
larger-scale kina dietary trials.
- john.gibb@odt.co.nz
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