MOSCOW, 17 Oct. NAFU scientists have identified the high potential of brown algae from the White Sea for cosmetology, pharmacology, medicine, food and agricultural industries. Research into algae has shown that northern plants could be a renewable plant material for waste-free technologies, experts say. The results were published in the journal Algal Research.
Scientists of the Northern (Arctic) Federal University named after M.V. Lomonosov (NAFU) explored the White Sea basin and discovered a number of algae with high industrial potential.
As the researchers explained, interest in the flora of the White Sea was caused by the diversity of algae growing in the reservoir. In the sea waters there are up to 160 species, 10 of which are of commercial importance, and local algal communities have very high productivity and are restored by 70% in just two to three years.
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“Due to the specificity of the focus of scientific and practical centers for the study of algae in Asia, the greatest attention there is directed to relatively large plants with floating leaves growing in reservoirs of the tropical, subtropical and temperate zones. The marine flora of the Arctic sector has been poorly studied today, which is why there is no justification for its effective use on an industrial scale,” explained NArFU professor Konstantin Bogolitsyn.
According to Professor Bogolitsyn, algae provide the livelihoods of several populations around the world. They are called superfood. Such products contain many nutrients — polysaccharides (laminaran, alginate, fucoidan), essential amino acids, important minerals (iodine, potassium, selenium, magnesium, iron, zinc, etc.), vitamins A, C, D, E.
According to scientists, algae can replace 25% of European protein consumption, 50% of total vegetable oil consumption, and can become a complete source of essential amino acids (not synthesized in the human body).
The scientist added that the scientific results of many years of research presented in these publications made it possible to provide a comprehensive assessment of the formation of the component composition of Arctic brown algae (Phaeophyceae), to discover a wide range of biologically active substances with antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, antitumor, immunostimulating, neuro- and cardioprotective properties. The study also showed that northern species are not inferior in composition to their southern counterparts, and in some indicators (content and activity) are superior to them.
“An important global trend is the transition from synthetic plastics made from petroleum products to environmentally friendly bioplastics, which are biodegradable, biocompatible and non-toxic. The main and accompanying components in their composition can be seaweed substances – alginates, fucoidans, cellulose,” – said Bogolitsyn.
He also added that the creation of such new materials is already actively developing in the form of startups, including in the areas of regenerative medicine, the industry for the production of recyclable and biodegradable types of furniture and clothing, and this can significantly reduce anthropogenic load on the ecological state of the environment.
The research was carried out within the framework of the scientific project of the REC «Russian Arctic» together with an industrial partner and supported by the Russian Science Foundation grant No. 22-23-20046 («Arctic algae: chemistry , new materials»). Detailed data on the results of scientific work are given in the monograph Studies in Natural Products Chemistry.