Seaweeds are healthy food items. And now scientists from the reputed Tel Aviv University and the Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research Institute in Haifa, Israel have come out with an innovative technology to produce enriched seaweed. This has human and animal use.
Seaweeds and their nutritional value
Seaweeds are extremely nutritious food items. They are marine plants and have a lot of useful nutrients in them. At the same time, their calories content is low. Hence, they are beneficial for health as well as for weight loss.
Enriched seaweeds (Source: Nutraingredients)And now researchers from the well-known Tel Aviv University and the Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research Institute in Haifa in Israel have developed an innovative technology to increase the nutrients of these seaweeds. Their enriched seaweed has extra nutrients, proteins, dietary fiber, and minerals. They are good for humans as well as for animal feeds.
It is a state of the art technology that causes a significant increase in their growth rate. Also, the protein levels, healthy carbs, and mineral content of the seaweed tissue increases. It magnifies it to the extent to make the seaweed a natural superfood with high nutritional value. It becomes a source of unlimited food supply and is of great use in the health food industry.
The enriched seaweed
The details of this study and methodology are in the journal Innovative Food Science & Emerging Technologies.
Enriched seaweeds (Source: Nature world news)The PhD student, Doron Ashkenazi, under the supervision of Avigdor Abelson from the School of Zoology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences of Tel Aviv University and Alvaro Israel of the Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research Institute (IOLR) in Tel Shikmona, Haifa, Israel carried out this study. Doron used the local species of the algae Ulva, Gracilaria and Hypnea and grew them under different environmental conditions and in the close proximity of fish farming system.
Under the new conditions, the seaweed flourished and had enhanced nutritional value. Thus it became the enriched seaweed or a superfood. One can use this new weed in nutritional supplements or even as a medicine. It could have application even in the cosmetic industry. The seaweed has health benefits and would help people during the times of financial crisis and food insecurity.
What the innovator says?
Doron explains in the article:
“Seaweed can be regarded as a natural superfood, more abundant in the necessary components of the human diet than other food sources,”
“Through the technological approach we developed, a farm owner or entrepreneur will be able to plan in advance a production line of seaweed rich in the substances in which they are interested, which can be used as health foods or nutritional supplements.”
“For example, seaweed with a particularly high level of protein, seaweed rich in minerals such as iron, iodine, calcium, magnesium, and zinc, or in special pigments or anti-oxidants. The enriched seaweed can be used to help populations suffering from malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies, for example disadvantaged populations around the world, as well as supplements to a vegetarian or vegan diet.”
Read here: Seaweeds: uses, countries, health benefits
Enriched seaweed (Source: Nutrition Insight)Having nutrient dense foods are a boon to overcome the hunger, malnutrition, and health problems of the world. Even animals can consume this enriched seaweed and reap it’s benefits.