Tel Aviv, Israel — There is a new way to fortify seaweed, a development that will benefit the superfood, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, scientists say. A team from Tel Aviv University and the Israel Institute of Marine and Land Water Research has doubled the antioxidants in seaweed, tripled the amount of natural sunscreen, and increased the amount of a unique protective pigment with high medical value by 10x. bottom.
This new research makes a breakthrough contribution to the field of marine-derived health and medicinal compounds.
“Seaweeds, also known as macroalgae, are marine plants that form the basis of coastal marine ecosystems. Seaweeds absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen into the environment. provide food, habitat and shelter for fish and invertebrates,” study author and Ph.D. Doron Ashkenazy said in the paper. media release. “In addition to what is not widely known, seaweeds produce a wide variety of unique bioactive compounds that are beneficial to humans.”
Seaweeds that live in the intertidal zone withstand extreme stress conditions such as changes in salinity, temperature, nutrient availability and high exposure to solar radiation. To survive, they have developed their own chemical defense mechanisms and produced natural compounds that help them cope with these harsh environments.
The research team cultivated three local seaweed species, sea lettuce, gracilaria, and hypnea, alongside fish wastewater and exposed them to various stress conditions, including high insolation, nutrient starvation, and high salinity. They investigated how these changes affect the concentration of valuable biomaterials in seaweed, with the goal of increasing production.
“We have developed optimal growing conditions and devised a new, clean way to enhance the levels of healthy, natural, bioactive compounds in seaweed,” explains Ashkenazy. “We basically created a ‘super seaweed’ specifically designed for food and health applications in the emerging health industry.”
The research team believes their methodology can be applied to the seaweed farming industry worldwide. In the future, they hope to infuse seaweed with additional natural substances with important medical properties, such as anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibiotic properties. .
It also emphasizes that seaweed farming is environmentally friendly, minimizing excess artificial nutrients and other pollutants and reducing greenhouse gases.
“In the future, humanity will focus on creating science-based environmental solutions, such as the ones we offer in this research, that promote recycling and healthy use of natural resources without overexploiting them. Our research shows how we can enjoy the benefits of nature without harming it.As seaweed suggests, we learn from nature how to preserve seaweed, thereby living and prospering with it. We can,” concludes Ashkenazy.
The research will be published in a scientific journal marine drug.
Even ordinary seaweed is really good for your health
Seaweed is an excellent source of several vitamins and minerals, including iodine, which is essential for thyroid function. Other nutrients found in seaweed include vitamins A, C, E, K, fiber, and various antioxidants. Here are some benefits of eating seaweed.
- Rich Nutrients: Seaweed is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. These include iodine, iron, calcium, vitamin K, vitamin B12, and others. It also contains antioxidants that protect cells from damage.
- Excellent Source of Iodine and Tyrosine: Iodine and tyrosine are required for proper functioning of the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland controls metabolism, and if it does not work properly, symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain and loss, and muscle weakness can occur.
- Contains a variety of protective antioxidants. Seaweed is rich in antioxidants that protect the body from cellular damage. Seaweed contains antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, flavonoids, and carotenoids.
- Helps in weight loss: Some studies suggest that seaweed may help with weight loss because it is low in calories and rich in fiber and can inhibit fat digestion.
- May improve heart health: Seaweed contains certain nutrients that help reduce heart disease risk factors, including omega-3 fatty acids and fiber.
Some types of seaweed are high in sodium, which can be a problem for people with high blood pressure. It also contains so much iodine that excessive consumption can cause thyroid problems. Always consult a medical professional before making any drastic changes to your diet.
Southwest News Service writer Jim Refman contributed to this report.
