Seaweed extracts from Ulva.
What is Ulvan, and why farm Ulva?
Ulva Lactuca, commonly known as sea lettuce, is a green
seaweed species that has attracted significant attention due to its remarkable
potential as a prolific source of bioactive compounds, especially polysaccharides, to fight cancer.
This comprehensive
review explores the various extraction techniques harnessed to isolate these
bioactive compounds from Ulva Lactuca while shedding light on the diverse
health applications these compounds encompass. Within the review, considerable
emphasis is placed on detailing the plethora of bioactive compounds inherent to
Ulva Lactuca, spanning polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, fatty acids,
pigments, minerals, and vitamins.
Furthermore, a comprehensive analysis of the
potential health benefits of these bioactive constituents is provided,
encompassing their roles in antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory properties,
cardiovascular health, neuroprotection, and skin health enhancement. Addressing
the broader scope of this review, significant attention is given to the
challenges that currently permeate this field of research, including issues
related to sustainability, standardization of extraction processes, formulation
strategies, and avenues for further exploration. This examination culminates in
the realization that Ulva Lactuca is a promising and versatile reservoir of
bioactive ingredients, potentially revolutionising various industries such as
food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Consequently, the future promises
exciting prospects for the continued exploration and exploitation of Ulva
Lactuca's wealth of bioactive compounds.
The rise of superbugs
Over the last few decades, many of the bacterias, viruses and fungi that infect humans have evolved to become resistant to conventional antimicrobial medicines. Indeed, we’re now at the point where certain antimicrobials no longer work. Such antimicrobial resistance makes it much more difficult to cure infections (for example, superbugs refer to bacteria that can survive almost all current antimicrobials and can be extremely dangerous for human health).
It is predicted that over 10 million people will die each year from antimicrobial-resistant infections by 2050, and the World Health Organisation has declared antimicrobial resistance to be one of the top 10 global public health threats facing humanity. Scientists are now turning to alternative and unconventional sources for new antimicrobials which microorganisms are not resistant to, such as naturally occurring medicinal properties in plants and seaweeds.
Can seaweeds help?
Seaweeds have been an important part of many diets worldwide for thousands of years, and are used as natural medicines in many cultures. Due to the harsh environment in the world’s seas and oceans, seaweeds produce many different chemicals to protect themselves in their natural habitat, including antimicrobial chemicals or compounds to protect them from bacteria in the sea.
It has been found that seaweeds are full of thousands of these ‘bioactive’ compounds which have health benefits such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties to name a few. Scientists have begun to explore the natural antimicrobial compounds inside seaweeds to see if they could be used as medicines to cure infections in humans.
Early results show that bioactive compounds from seaweeds are able to kill microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses. This opens up many avenues for the future of antimicrobial research; compounds from seaweeds could be used as partial or full replacements of antimicrobial medicines, included in antibacterial household cleaning products, or even used as natural food preservatives for packaged foods.
Irish researchers are currently investigating local seaweeds and their ability to kill bacteria. Winged kelp is a common brown seaweed found in Ireland, which has been found to be able to kill E. coli, a bacteria that infects food.
Antimicrobial compounds from seaweeds could become environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional antimicrobial agents, which are normally made from synthetic chemicals. Seaweeds are a renewable natural resource and can absorb carbon dioxide. Farming seaweed can be done offshore so it does not compete for land use with food production, and seaweeds can be processed using sustainable technologies.
ULVA SEA FARMS are now offering investment opportunities. Please check out our Investment page on this website.
