Summary

Australian marine plants, comprising seaweed and algae, are incredibly diverse and contain bioactives with proven benefits for nutritional health.
Using CSIRO’s Australian National Algae Culture Collection, the largest seaweed database in Australia, we propose to undertake an analysis and bench marking study that will allow us to consider the beneficial aspects of seaweed for nutraceutical applications that have not been previously discovered or realised.
The demand for seaweed extracted ingredients is growing in demand, driven by overseas buyers; our clean green Australian reputation; and the vegan movement. Our study will consider applications across skincare (both topical and oral), health supplements, capsules and prebiotic products for gut health.
We will also consider sources that compliment or provide alternatives to Omega 3, currently sourced from Krill Oil. In partnership with our industry participants Swisse Wellness and Marinova, and research partner CSIRO, we will use a commercial lens to determine which species of seaweed are the most suitable to use and fit into the nutraceutical supply chain.

Program

New and Emerging Industries

Research Organisation

Sampano Pty Ltd

Objective Summary

The main objective of this research project will be to utilise CSIRO’s Australian National Algae Culture Collection, to identify species that have nutritional bioactives or other benefits that could be adapted as health supplements, vitamins and skin care products. Leveraging CSIROs extensive research base, knowledge and analytical capability, we will aim to quickly identify species of interest that can be harvested and processed. We will use the commercial knowledge of Marinova to identify the best route to market and we will reply on Swisse to identify market need and demand.
As a result, we expect to create a shortlist of seaweed that can be cultivated or wild harvested and that can be processed with existing methods and sold into the existing value chain. We may even find a seaweed that is already being grown or in current production that we can extract high value products from.