Please note we are not claiming that our product is suitable for all the below applications, or that it has the same benefits. Many of the studies below have been conducted using extracts of Ascophyllum nodosum and/or additional agents.
Health & Medical
Used as a vegan nutritional supplement in humans, pets, horses and livestock.
Has dental benefits in humans, dogs and cats. See Resources.
May have immunostimulatory properties.
- Chen, L., Wang, Y., Yang, H., Li, H., Xu, W., Chen, G. & Zhu, H. (2018). Physicochemical Characterization, Antioxidant and Immunostimulatory Activities of Sulfated Polysaccharides Extracted from Ascophyllum nodosum. Molecules.
- Zhang, W., Kwak, M., Park, H-B., Okimura, T., Oda, T., Lee, P. C-W. & Jin, J. (2019). Activation of Human Dendritic Cells by Ascophyllan Purified from Ascophyllum nodosum. Marine Drugs.
Has gastro-intestinal benefits.
- Chen, L., Xu, W., Chen, D., Chen, G., Liu, J., Zeng, X., Shao, R. & Zhu, H. (2018). Digestibility of sulfated polysaccharide from the brown seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum and its effect on the human gut microbiota in vitro. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules.
- Rattigan, R., Sweeney, T., Vigors, S., Thornton, K., Rajauria, G. & O’Doherty, J.V. (2019). The Effect of Increasing Inclusion Levels of a Fucoidan-Rich Extract Derived from Ascophyllum nodosum on Growth Performance and Aspects of Intestinal Health of Pigs Post-Weaning. Marine Drugs.
- Venardou, B., O’Doherty, J.V., Maher, S., Ryan, M.T., Gath, V., Ravindran, R., Kiely, C., Rajauria, G., Garcia-Vaquero, M. & Sweeney, T. (2021). Potential of a fucoidan-rich Ascophyllum nodosum extract to reduce Salmonella shedding and improve gastrointestinal health in weaned pigs naturally infected with Salmonella. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology.
- Wang, L., Yan, C., Wang, L., Ai, C., Wang, S., Shen, C., Tong, Y. & Song, S. (2022). Ascophyllum nodosum polysaccharide regulates gut microbiota metabolites to protect against colonic inflammation in mice. Food & Function.
- Zhou, M., Hünerberg, M., Chen, Y., Reuter, T., McAllister, T.A., Evans, F., Critchley, A. & Guan, L.L. (2018). Air-Dried Brown Seaweed, Ascophyllum nodosum, Alters the Rumen Microbiome in a Manner That Changes Rumen Fermentation Profiles and Lowers the Prevalence of Foodborne Pathogens. mSphere.
Can aid in blood glucose regulation and diabetes management.
- Derosa, G., Cicero, A.F.G., D’Angelo, A. & Maffioli, P. (2019). Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus on glycemic status and on endothelial damage markers in dysglicemic patients. Phytotherapy Research.
- Derosa, G., Pascuzzo, M.D., D’Angelo, A. & Maffioli, P. (2019). Ascophyllum Nodosum, Fucus Vesiculosus and chromium picolinate nutraceutical composition can help to treat type 2 diabetic patients. Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy.
- Ligen, C., Liang, S., Lingyun, Z., Fengwei, L., Xiaodong, G., Xiujuan, X., Hongwei, Y., Tingting, L., Wei, X. & Rong, S. (2023). Hyperglycemia symptom amelioration by Ascophyllum nodosum polysaccharides in mice with type 2 diabetes. Algal Research.
- Okimura, T., Jiang, Z., Liang, Y., Yamaguchi, K. & Oda, T. (2019). Suppressive effect of ascophyllan HS on postprandial blood sugar level through the inhibition of α-glucosidase and stimulation of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules.
- Shan, X., Wang, X., Jiang, H., Cai, C., Hao, J. & Yu, G. (2020). Fucoidan from Ascophyllum nodosum Suppresses Postprandial Hyperglycemia by Inhibiting Na+/Glucose Cotransporter 1 Activity. Marine Drugs.
Can reduce cholesterol.
- Yang, Z., Liu, G., Wang, Y., Yin, J., Wang, J., Xia, B., Li, T., Yang, X., Hou, P., Hu, S., Song, W. & Guo, S. (2019). Fucoidan A2 from the Brown Seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum Lowers Lipid by Improving Reverse Cholesterol Transport in C57BL/6J Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.
May decrease the risk of obesity and regulate metabolism.
- Chen, L., Xu, W., Chen, D., Chen, G., Liu, J., Zeng, X., Shao, R. & Zhu, H. (2018). Digestibility of sulfated polysaccharide from the brown seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum and its effect on the human gut microbiota in vitro. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules.
- Nicolucci, A., Rossi, M.C. & Petrelli, M. (2021). Effectiveness of Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus on Metabolic Syndrome Components: A Real-World, Observational Study. Journal of Diabetes Research.
Is being investigated for its anti-cancer properties.
- Zhang, W., Okimura, T., Oda, T. & Jin, J-O. (2019). Ascophyllan Induces Activation of Natural Killer Cells in Mice In Vivo and In Vitro. Marine Drugs.
- Zhang, W., Du, J-Y., Jiang, Z., Okimura, T., Oda, T., Yu, Q. & Jin, J-O. (2014). Ascophyllan Purified from Ascophyllum nodosum Induces Th1 and Tc1 Immune Responses by Promoting Dendritic Cell Maturation. Marine Drugs.
Has antiviral activity that might help fight Covid:
- Fang-Shu, S., Yv-Hao, X., Yong-Le, Y., Ling-Dong, X., Jin-Jun, L., Xin, W., Li-Ying, Z., Wei-Wei, W., Pei-li, S., Yao-Wei, H. & Xiao-Qiong, L. (2024). Fucoidan from Ascophyllum nodosum and Undaria pinnatifida attenuate SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro and in vivo by suppressing ACE2 and alleviating inflammation. Carbohydrate Polymers.
- Geetha Bai, R. & Tuvikene R. (2021). Potential Antiviral Properties of Industrially Important Marine Algal Polysaccharides and Their Significance in Fighting a Future Viral Pandemic. Viruses.
- Gunathilaka, M.D.T.L. (2023). Utilization of Marine Seaweeds as a Promising Defense Against COVID-19: a Mini-review. Mar Biotechnol.
Fertiliser
Used as a fertiliser, biostimulant and soil conditioner in domestic and commercial gardens and crops. Benefits to plants include increased salinity resistance, pest resistance, stress tolerance, root development, immunity and yield. It is an allowable input as per the Australian Certified Organic Standard.
Alginic Acid
Used to make Alginic Acid, a polysaccharide, which is used in various industries including food, packaging, biotechnology, textile, dental and pharmaceutical.
Beauty Products
Used in the beauty industry as an ingredient in cosmetics and beauty products.
Clothing
Used to make SeaCell fabric.
Live Seafood Transport
Used as a packaging material when shipping live seafood.
Composting Aid
Is being investigated as a composting accelerant that also reduces greenhouse gases output.
- Al-Dulaimi, O., Rateb, M.E., Hursthouse, A.S., Thomson, G. & Yaseen, M. (2023). The potential of Ascophyllum nodosum to accelerate green waste composting. Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management.
Reducing Cow Burps & Farts
When fed to cows, it has been shown to reduce their output of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
- Silwer, H. (2018). Macroalgae as feed supplement for reduction of methane emission in livestock – Overview of current knowledge and potential Nordic species. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.
- Vij, S., Compart, D.P., Dutta, N., Foukis, A., Hess, M., Hristov, A.N., Kalscheur, K.F., Kebrea, E., Nuzhdin, S.V., Price, N.N., Sun, Y., Tricarico, J.M., Turzillo, A., Weisbjerg, M.R., Yarish, C. & Kurt, T.D. (2020). Key Considerations for the Use of Seaweed to Reduce Enteric Methane Emissions From Cattle. Frontiers in Veterinary Science.
Movie Props
Used to dress movie sets including Star Wars and Pirates of the Caribbean.
- Financial boost for Lewis seaweed producer that supplies algae for blockbusters. (2019, February 6). The Press and Journal.
Photo Credit: Walt Disney Pictures & Jerry Bruckheimer Films. (2006). Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest.