The positive results of Matís' biotechnology research in recent years on algae and the bioactivity of the substances in them laid the foundation for the company Marinox, which has now started operations.
The first products are skin products under the UNA brand. They are already on the market in Iceland, but there are also plans for the production of food supplements and additives for the food industry in the future.
Hörður Kristinsson, division manager at Matís and Rósa Jónsdóttir, division manager, were responsible for founding the company in collaboration with Matís.
"It can be said that Marinox is a formal channel for our research and a logical continuation of research for many years. In 2007, we started screening for algae substances with antioxidant activity, and those studies led us to the brown algae bubble seaweed, which we decided to work with better. We have now reached the point where we have isolated bioactive substances from the bubble seaweed that we have experimented with as a food supplement in food processing and for the production of UNA skin products. The antioxidant activity helps the skin to counteract the undesirable effects we experience in our environment, counteracts the aging of the skin and so on, "says Rósa." has of consumption.
"The idea with Marinox is to produce food supplements and ingredients for food producers, but also to develop our own products that contain these positive bioactive substances. With UNA skincare, we have therefore taken a new step in the process, but research on algae and the bioactivity of substances in them will continue with us, as this is a great resource that Icelanders can use in the future, "says Rósa Jónsdóttir, professional director.