Breaking the limits of deep-sea capture, transforming innovations in nutraceutical ingredients from the ocean

Studies have shown that many marine-derived ingredients are closely related to human health, such as the well-known fish oil

Nutraceutical ingredients from the ocean are changing

Many years ago, marine nutraceuticals were limited to those derived from deep-sea capture or farmed near the coast.

Yeast-derived astaxanthin

Astaxanthin is a potent antioxidant, usually derived from algae

NextFerm, based in Yoknim, Israel, is using yeast fermentation technology to produce large quantities of yeast-derived astaxanthin for use as a dietary supplement

Unlike seaweed-derived astaxanthin, one of the key advantages of this yeast-derived astaxanthin is that it is colorless and odorless

The company's vice president of global marketing said that some companies have been using its astaxanthin in astaxanthin capsules since last year, and "it is expected that other brands will launch similar products soon

Mineral-rich Icelandic red algae

Icelandic red algae have attracted the attention of researchers for their natural abundance of calcium, magnesium and trace minerals, which are absorbed by Icelandic red algae from the surrounding seawater

Current research suggests that a combination of the aforementioned red algae, seawater magnesium, and pine bark extract may help people with osteoarthritis better than the commonly used glucosamine

While glucosamine has long been a commonly used dietary supplement in the joint health arena, plant-based alternatives like Aquamin-Plus may be more appealing to consumers looking for plant-based ingredients

non-green chlorella

Chlorella is a freshwater algae rich in vitamins, minerals, chlorophyll, and has a strong flavor and smell

Allmicroalgae Natural Products SA in Patayas, Portugal, developed two such chlorella species last year

By exposing cells of wild-type chlorella to UV light and chemical agents, the scientists were able to develop yellow and white varieties of chlorella that are relatively soft in texture and milder in taste and smell

The above work has been successfully scaled up and scientists believe it can be used in large quantities in animal raw materials, human food and dietary supplements

Other fatty acids from the ocean

In fact, there are more than 30 different natural fatty acids in marine-derived fatty acids, in addition to the familiar fish oil eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)

With significant funding from the Norwegian government, Epax Norway AS, a developer of fish oil ingredients in Alesund, Norway, has entered into a research project with the Norwegian Institute for Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture (NOFIMA) to evaluate other fatty acids

recycling of waste

In the process of obtaining valuable health ingredients from the ocean every year, waste generation is inevitable
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Today, Aker BioMarine, a raw material supplier for krill in Oslo, Norway, has made recycling this waste part of its business
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In December, Aker announced the formation of a new company called AION, which is dedicated to recycling plastic waste and bio-residue waste from Aker's supply network into new products
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Now that AION has found its first starting point, fast-food giant McDonald's is using trays made from these ocean-based plastics
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Fucoidan

Brown algae have been used for culinary and medicinal purposes for centuries
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Wakame and Fucus algae have attracted corporate attention in recent years
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　　It is understood that companies have spent years researching the ingredients of these seaweeds and developing businesses around their active ingredient, fucoidan
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This compound is found in other marine organisms, such as sea cucumbers, but seaweeds are the raw material of choice for extracting fucoidan because they renew quickly and can be obtained from clean, unpolluted waters
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　　Research suggests that fucoidan has a range of potential uses, including improving skin health, athletic performance, and immune health
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Several studies have shown that fucoidan may enhance the body's immune response, activate certain cells important to the immune system, and even inhibit allergic reactions
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　　With the increasing demand for immune health ingredients, especially plant-based immune health ingredients, the demand for fucose as an immune health ingredient is also increasing
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　　(Source: Gut Industry)

       "China Food News" (May 10, 2021 06 edition)

(Editor-in-charge: Yang Xiaojing)