Fjölfenól Archives

Ecological impact on bioactive chemicals in brown seaweeds and their utilization

Post author By admin
Post date 01/09/2015

Published:

01/09/2015

Authors:

Rósa Jónsdóttir, Ásta Heiðrún Pétursdóttir, Halldór Benediktsson, Hilma B. Eiðsdóttir, Karl Gunnarsson, Jóna Freysdóttir

Supported by:

Fisheries Project Fund

Contact

Rósa Jónsdóttir

Research Group Leader

rosa.jonsdottir@matis.is

Ecological impact on bioactive chemicals in brown seaweeds and their utilization

The aim of the project was to investigate the effects of environmental factors on the amount and bioactivity of polyphenols and polysaccharides in seaweed and kelp. The aim was to increase knowledge of the ecology and chemistry of these species for more efficient isolation of biological substances, their further analysis and utilization for bioactivity measurements. Samples of seaweed, marine core, pimples and claw seaweed were taken at three locations in the country; in the northern part of Reykjanes, in Breiðafjörður and Eskifjörður, a total of six times a year, from March to June, in August and October. A method was developed to isolate fucoidan and laminaran polysaccharides from bubble seaweed and claw seaweed. Total polyphenols were measured in all samples but bioactivity in selected samples. In addition, heavy metals and iodine were measured in selected samples. The amount of polyphenols was high in smallpox and seaweed, but low in marine nuclei and gillnets. Antioxidant activity, measured as ORAC and in the cellular system, was high in the samples containing high levels of polyphenols. Seaweed and seaweed showed anti-inflammatory activity. The results of the project significantly increase knowledge in the field of utilization of seaweed and kelp. They are useful in the development of seaweed processing for human consumption that is currently underway.

The aim of the project was to study the effect of environmental factors on polyphenols and polysaccharides in seaweed. Thereby be able to better recognize the ecology and chemistry of these species for more efficient isolation of the biochemical, their further analysis and utilization in bioactive measurements. Samples of Saccharina latissima, Alaria esculenta, Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus were collected at three different locations, Reykjanes, Breiðafjörður and Eskifjörður, from March to October, in total six times. Method to isolate fucoidan and laminaran polysaccharides was developed. Total polyphenol content (TPC) was measured in all samples and bioactivity in selected samples. In addition, contaminants and iodine were analyzed in selected samples. The TPC was high in F. vesiculosus and A. nodosum but rather low in A. esculenta and S. latissima. The antioxidant acitivty, measured as ORAC value and in cells, was high in samples containing high amount of TPC. F. vesiculosus and A. esculenta had anti-inflammatory properties. The results of the project have increased the knowledge about the utilization of seaweed in Iceland substantially.

Report closed until 31.12.2017

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Fæðubótarefni úr íslensk þangi / Functional ingredients from Icelandic seaweed

Post author By admin
Post date 01/01/2012

Published:

01/01/2012

Authors:

Rósa Jónsdóttir, Hólmfríður Sveinsdóttir, Jón Óskar Jónsson, Jóna Freysdóttir, Patricia Hamaguchi, Halldór Benediktsson, Annabelle Vrac, Hörður G. Kristinsson

Supported by:

Fisheries Project Fund

Fæðubótarefni úr íslensk þangi / Functional ingredients from Icelandic seaweed

The aim of the study was to develop the processing of dietary supplements from Icelandic seaweed by maximizing the extraction and purification process of biomaterials and measuring their bioactivity. Seaweed was collected monthly for one year and the chemical content and bioactivity were measured in test tubes and in cell systems. The processing of polyphenols was scaled up and the shelf life was studied. The seasonal fluctuation in vitamin C content was very clear and peaked during the summer. There was also a large difference in the amount of iodine, which was much higher during the winter compared to samples taken during the summer. The antioxidant activity of polyphenols was very high, both measured as ORAC and DPPH and in cells. The results of studies in the angiogenesis model strongly indicate the anti-inflammatory effect of polyphenols from seaweed. Fucoxanthin levels were on average lowest in the summer but highest in the winter, although the difference was not significant. Seaweed fucoxanthin collected in January and July measured 90% and 80% antioxidant activity in cells. The results of this project strongly show that it is a good idea to process bioactive substances from seaweed into dietary supplements.

The aim of the project was to develop functional ingredients from brown seaweed (Fucus vesiculosus) for use in nutraceutical and functional foods by optimizing extraction of bioactive compounds and characterizing their properties to demonstrate possible health benefits. Fucus vesiculosus was collected monthly for one year for chemical characterization and to study bioactivity using in ‐ vitro chemical and cellular tests. The polyphenol extraction process was scaled up and shelf life of the extract studied. The seasonal variation in vitamin ‐ C content was clear reaching maximum level during the summer. A large difference was seen in the iodine content which was much higher in the winter compared to the summer. The antioxidant activity of the polyphenols was high, measured as ORAC and DPPH and in cell models. The dendritic cell (DC) model showed indications of anti ‐ inflammatory effect of polyphenols. The amount of fucoxanthin was on average lowest in the summer but highest in the winter. Cellular antioxidant activity of fucoxanthin samples from January and July was 90% and 80%, respectively. The results of this project indicate that it is feasible to produce functional ingredients from Icelandic seaweed.

Report closed until 01.01.2015