Skip to content
_DSC1229

Nutraceuticals

Overview of future nutraceutical offerings.

Carotenoids

General description

Carotenoids are sometimes referred to as “nature’s pencils”, as they are a large family of coloured plant pigments. Carotenoids are subdivided into carotenes and xanthophylls (e.g. fucoxanthin). The latter contain oxygen. Most carotenoids are yellow, brown, orange or red. Carotenoids may contain aromatic rings or other functional groups on both ends of the polyene. The antioxidant activity of carotenoids consists of oxygen singlet quenching and peroxyl radical scavenging.

Fucoxanthin (an orange pigment) is present in both red and brown algae and makes up a major part of the carotenoids in brown algae. Total fucoxanthin content is dependent on species, geographical location and seasonal variation. Fucoxanthin features many compelling bioactive properties, such as anti-obesity, antioxidant, anti-cancer and more. The main three applications for fucoxanthin are food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. The food segment is anticipated to dominate the market in near future due to an increasing demand for dietary supplements globally.

Application examples

Anti-obesity, antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, liver treatment.

Origin

Laminaria hyperborea

Product benefits

Scientifically proven reduction of body fat, treatment of fat-liver.

Market segments

Pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, health & nutrition.

Amino acids

General description

Proteins and amino acids are the building blocks of life due to their nutritional and physiological properties and play a critical biological role in living organisms. Proteins can also affect the appearance, texture and stability of foods, due to properties such as solubility, viscosity, foaming, emulsification and gelation. Proteins from Laminaria hyperborea contain all essential amino acids, which is important for muscle growth and cartilage stability. The proteins can be broken down into peptides, or even all the way down to amino acids.

Application examples

Proteins, fish feed, flavour enhancers (umami), vegan diet

Origin

Laminaria hyperborea

Product benefits

Complementary to soybean protein.

Vegan protein source.

Market segments

Health & nutrition, feed

Savoury

General description

Savoury can be used as flavour enhancers or nutritional spices. Umami is known as the fifth flavour and is characteristic of broths and cooked meats. Umami is tasted through receptors that typically respond to glutamates, and glutamates are widely present in meat broths and fermented products. It is also common to add umami flavour to certain foods in the form of monosodium glutamate.

Examples of application

Sweet, salty and umami flavour

Origin

Laminaria hyperborea

Product benefits

Strong salting ability while maintaining a low and healthy mineral composition.

Low calories.

Rich in healthy phytochemicals.

Market segment

Health & nutrition

Laminarin

General description

Laminarin from Laminaria hyperborea represent a group of low-molecular weight polysaccharides of (1,3)-β-D-glucopyranose residues with some branching. Two types of chains have been observed in laminarin, namely M chains (contain a mannitol unit) and G chains (contain a glucose unit). In their natural state, laminarin do not have a high degree of branching, making them predominately insoluble in water. As a result of water-insolubility, laminarin from L. hyperborea escapes hydrolysis in the upper gastrointestinal tract. The molecular weight of laminarin (from L. hyperborea) is approximately 5 kDa. The smaller molecular size of laminarin allows it to have a direct effect on gut mucosa or gut-associated lymphoid tissue, which can strengthen the gut barrier function and enhance the immune function of the gut. Laminarin content varies with factors such as harvesting season and geographical location. Laminarin is absent during the period of fast growth in spring, but in autumn and winter, it may represent up to 35% of the dried weight of the fronds. Laminarin has been found to possess various biological activities, including prebiotic properties, microbial inhibitory activity, antioxidative properties, wound repair, antibacterial, immune system trigger, etc.

Examples of application

Beverages, dietary supplements, piglet feed to treat separation stress (weight loss and death), prebiotics, obstipation treatment, animal feed.

Origin

Laminaria hyperborea

Product benefits

High purity.

Increasing gut animal health, weight gain and immune stimulating.

Market segment

Health & nutrition, feed supplements.

Biobased materials

General description

From 3 July 2021, a EU-wide ban of single-use plastics products (SUPs) will take effect as a means of preventing and reducing the impact of certain plastic products on the environment and on human health. Seaweed-based bioplastics can offer a solution and replacement to these banned SUPs.

Bioplastics made from seaweed have all necessary physiochemical properties to replace palstics, including gas and water vapour barrier, thermal- and mechanical properties. In addition, seaweed bioplastics are edible, vegan, completely degradable in 4–6 weeks, tasteless, odourless, and developed from a renewable raw material. Selected seaweed components increase the value of bioplastics through properties like UV protection, antimicrobial properties, food preservation, and increasing shelf life of food products packed in them etc. Products made from seaweed bioplastics include, but not limited to, printable food wrappings, food dipping, tea/coffee/dry seasoning sachets, coating to form grease-resistant and waterproof barriers around cardboard, beverage cartons, take-away boxes, soap packaging, dishwasher tablets, etc.

Application examples

Coating, packaging, straws.

Origin

Laminaria hyperborea

Product benefits

Green, completely bio-degradable.

No microplastics.

Market segments

Biomaterials, service industries, food packaging.

Borea powder

General description

Seaweed has been used as fertilizers since the dawn of time. Seaweed contains small and large nutrients, minerals, amino acids, vitamins etc, and acts as natural fertilizers providing good, gradual and long-lasting fertilisation to the soil and the plants as it decomposes. Addition of organic material to horticultural soils is good for the soil’s structure as seaweed affects the soil’s water balance and thus help retain moisture during dry periods. Alginic acid acts as a soil conditioner and helps to improve the soil. Furthermore, salts from alginic acid binds to metal molecules, creating bigger, heavier molecules which attach to soil particles and improve soil structure. Fertilization with seaweed has also been shown to have a positive effect against fungi and pests by strengthening the plant’s defense mechanism. Aditionally, it may help in preventing weeds. Borea powder contains a large amount of organic matter which is not found in terrestrial plants, including 40 different minerals such as magnesium, potessium, calcium, iodine, zinc, iron, and abundant vitamins. The presence of nitrogen in Borea powder is bound to complex chemical compounds and is therefore slowly released to the soil. Nitrogen is essential for all life on earth, and is one of life’s most important building blocks. Nitrogen induses foliage and gives strong vegetative growth.

Application examples

Soil nutrients, fertiliser, seed germination, plant disease resistance, growth accelerator

Origin

Laminaria hyperborea

Product benefits

Sustainable, organic classification

More efficient nutrient uptake

Improved soil conditions

Natural growth stimulants for increasing crop yield

Strengthens plant’s defence system

Market segments

Agriculture.