Bio Marine - Final Report

The incorporation of algae into aquafeed has come in and out of fashion over the past few decades so the aim of the session was to discuss all aspects of this growing and not well understood industry and to agree on four critical areas which will enhance improvement into the future.

It became clear during the discussions of the vast differences on this subject between EU/West where majority is wild harvest and used as hydrocolloids whereas in Asia the majority is farmed and used for food/feed. The need to concentrate in this Think-Tank on Macro as against Micro was also established however there was a complete understanding that both were immensely important and commonalities can be found between the two. Compared to other types of aquaculture, the production of seaweed (macroalgae) is only surpassed by freshwater fishes and represents over 30 per cent of the world wide industry.

Unicellular algae is a heterogeneous product; a mix of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. In unicellular algae there is much variation in composition between species/strains and the proportion of these can even be affected by the growing conditions. Algae (both macro and micro) are excellent sources of Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Folic Acid, Antioxidants and Carotenoids. Extracts from Seaweed, in a similar fashion to terrestrial plant extracts, have been shown to have a wide range of biological activities.

The two major classes of molecules in seaweeds that have the most potential as functional food ingredients are polysaccharides and polyphenolics. Polyphenolics have proven antioxidant activity, and have been successfully incorporated into drinks and other food consumables. Seaweed polysaccharides are unique, abundant, and cost effectively isolated but need to be partially hydrolyzed for inclusion in various foods due to their gelling properties. Seaweed polysaccharides have been shown to have heparin-like anticoagulation activity, antiviral, immune-enhancing and anticancer activities, cholesterol lowering activity, lipid lowering effects, and blood pressure-lowering benefits amongst many other things.