Algalíf Iceland, Europe’s leading producer of sustainable natural astaxanthin from microalgae, stands as a beacon of innovation in health and wellness. The company’s commitment to quality and sustainability is further exemplified by its latest venture, Nutramunity™ yeast beta glucan – a groundbreaking product known for its potent immunity-boosting properties. This article explores Algalíf’s journey, its dedication to exceptional quality, and how Nutramunity™ beta glucan is setting new standards in immune health, gut health, and overall wellness.
In the quest for optimal health, the immune system plays a critical role as the body’s primary defense against pathogens. As interest in natural and effective immune support continues to grow, Nutramunity—a brand powered by Algalif—offers a scientifically validated solution: Beta-Glucan, nature’s immune booster.
The Science Behind Beta-Glucan
Beta-Glucan is a natural polysaccharide derived primarily from the cell walls of baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), known for its potent immune-enhancing properties. Structurally, Beta-Glucan consists of glucose molecules linked by beta-glycosidic bonds, forming a complex carbohydrate that interacts with the immune system in a unique and powerful way.
When ingested, Beta-Glucan is recognized by specific receptors on immune cells, such as macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells. These interactions trigger a cascade of immune responses, enhancing the body’s ability to detect and eliminate pathogens. This immune modulation is particularly valuable in supporting overall immune function, helping to maintain a balanced and responsive immune system.
Fucoxanthin is a golden member of the colorful group of carotenoids, which are natural pigments who share similar chemical structure. Fucoxanthin is the most abundant carotenoid on earth, about 10% of all, but it is unique to Algae, both seaweeds and microalgae. Despite its abundance, we hardly consume any fucoxanthin in our diet. So, unless we are fans of Japanese cuisine, we are not benefitting from the plethora of health benefits that fucoxanthin provides.
How is fucoxanthin good for health?
The most important and unique health benefit of fucoxanthin is its activity against metabolic syndrome (MetS), which is considered a global epidemic affecting 25% of the world’s population. MetS is a cluster of conditions including central obesity, diabetes, and insulin resistance, which is linked to reduced productivity, increased healthcare costs, and the onset of severe diseases.
Fucoxanthin was shown to work in the mitochondria of central fat layers to increase the burning of fats. Moreover, fucoxanthin improves the hormonal balance of fat tissue to increase its breakdown for energy and to ameliorate insulin resistance. Clinical studies have shown that the outcome of these processes is reduced waist size and normalized blood sugar levels.
Fucoxanthin also has neuroprotective effects, meaning that it potentially prevents neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of memory loss and dementia. In addition, it protects brain cells from damage after head trauma or stroke.
In the realm of health supplements, astaxanthin has garnered attention for its potent antioxidant properties. The market for astaxanthin is growing fast as more people become aware of its potential. Recently, a review paper published in the journal Nutrients explored the cognitive health benefits of astaxanthin supplementation. The paper was written by a group of scientists from Edge Hill University in the UK. It sheds light on the potential of astaxanthin to enhance mental performance and protect against cognitive decline. The paper can be found here.
Astaxanthin is commonly used in supplements, but it can also be used for various cosmetic products, especially those that provide anti-aging effects. Astaxanthin helps neutralize free radicals and protect the skin from harmful solar radiation and environmental pollution. In addition, it helps reduce inflammation and improve the elasticity and texture of the skin. Astaxanthin is especially known for its ability to reduce the signs of skin aging, including the prominence of fine lines and wrinkles.
The worldwide astaxanthin market will almost double in size in the next decade, according to a new research report from DataM Intelligence. According to the report, the combined market size for natural astaxanthin and synthetic (petrochemical) astaxanthin was USD 1.5 billion (1,500,000,000) US$ in 2023. It is expected to reach USD 2.7 billion (2,700,000,000) US$ by 2031. That is about 80% increase in market size. Note that only natural astaxanthin has health benefits for humans.
Algalíf Iceland. Natural Astaxanthin: Human Clinical Studies Overview.
This means that the annual growth rate (GAGR) is 8,1%. Again, this includes both synthetic (petrochemical) and natural astaxanthin. The authors describe the purpose of the report to be to “provide a telescopic view of the current market size by value and volume, opportunities, and development status.” The synthetic (petrochemical) astaxanthin market is much bigger in volume than the natural one, but the raw material price for natural astaxanthin is about much higher than synthetic (petrochemical).
Intense physical activity resulting from heavy exercise leads to increased oxidative stress, inflammation, and muscle damage. Astaxanthin’s unique antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties suggest that it may support the body’s recovery processes after intense exercise.
When a car rusts, an apple rots, or skin wrinkles, it is always due to “free radicals”. Free radicals are unstable oxygen molecules that attack the body’s 100 trillion cells every day, triggering a destructive chain reaction that can manifest itself in a wide variety of diseases. However, we can protect ourselves from this with certain radical scavengers called “antioxidants”. One such radical scavenger, Astaxanthin, a highly potent carotenoid, is one of the strongest antioxidants. This substance can protect the body´s cells from the attacks of free radicals.
Natural astaxanthin is the strongest antioxidant
You cannot see them, cannot hear them, cannot smell them, and cannot feel them. But they are there! The Killer in the Air. Their name: “Free radicals”. This is simply oxygen molecules.
Oxygen is vital to us humans. But how can a vital element be capable of such destruction? On one hand, oxygen sustains, promotes, and fuels life – on the other hand, it causes stress and damage to our proteins and even DNA, impairing our health and well-being in multiple ways. The reason: Not all oxygen molecules are made equal.
Negative influence of oxygen molecules
The majority of respirated oxygen is stable and indispensable for life. But there are also unstable oxygen molecules, including the free radicals. Radical and non-radical oxygen molecules differ in their molecular structure. Radical oxygen species have an unpaired – unstable – electron, and this excess of energy can only be stabilized by stealing electrons from other nearby molecules, such as our proteins or DNA. This is how free radicals can quickly develop into killer substances. The radical oxygen molecules can influence our organism very negatively.
Although microalgae certainly represent a novel, promising source of several bioactive compounds such as astaxanthin, fucoxanthin, EPA/DHA, and phycocyanin, less attention has been paid to the difference between potential cultivation techniques and their associated environmental and sustainability footprint. Here, location, water availability and quality, cultivation technique, energy source, energy requirements, volumetric productivity, downstream approach, and carbon footprint are key factors in the overall sustainability profile of a given approach. Let’s take a closer look at two of those factors: location and water source.
Location
Location in this context can refer to both geographical location, but also the distinction between cultivation that takes place outdoors and cultivation that takes place indoors. In both cases though, access to a sustainable, stable, and renewable energy source is of critical importance.
Outdoor operations are usually located in warm, sunny climates and have the general sustainability advantage of using natural sunlight to drive the photosynthesis and thereby requiring less energy overall. The disadvantages include increased contamination risk and bioburden, low productivity, limited light utilization and a stronger need for external temperature adjustments – all of which can increase the environmental footprint substantially.
Indoor operations are usually more energy intensive as the process is often driven by artificial high-energy lighting. The advantages however include full parameter control (temperature, pH etc.), enhanced productivity (partly due to being able to cultivate both day and night), lower contamination risk and lower energy requirements for temperature adjustment. Locations with stable, low-temperature climates, low bioburden and access to renewable energy are therefore best suited for indoor microalgae cultivation.
Water availability & quality
Water is the single most important ingredient in microalgae cultivation. Microalgae cultures are predominantly made up of water (biomass density rarely exceeds 10 g/L and is often around 1-4 g/L), so it goes without saying that water availability and quality are critical factors. Sustainability and environmental considerations are tightly linked to the water source in many ways;
Sustainable, steady water access is of primary importance and water usage must not be at the expense of other industries or general usage.
Chemical pre-treatment of the water is needed in locations with poor water quality, and this has a negative impact on the overall sustainability and environmental profile.
The suitability of the local water profile needs to be aligned with the intended culture medium to be used and the microalgae species in question. If the profile is not suitable, adjustments need to be made and these can have negative environmental impacts.
Controlling water use by ensuring that evaporation rates are minimized is a sustainable step to take. Evaporation rates in open pond, outdoor systems can exceed 20% per day but in closed, indoor systems the evaporation rates can be maintained well below 1%
Overall, this discussion demonstrates that although microalgae cultivation for the production of bioactive compounds is an inherently environmentally friendly process, many details have to be taken into consideration to assess the overall sustainability profile and to compare products produced by different cultivation techniques and in different locations.
An Algalif Blog by Dr. Tryggvi Stefansson, CChief Operating Officer of Algalif
Haematococcus pluvialis is a microalgae that has relatively mild optimal growth conditions. The optimal temperature is very close to room temperature, the optimal pH is almost neutral, and as a freshwater microalgae, the medium has almost no salinity.
In general, the neutraceutical market for astaxanthin does not tolerate the use of pesticides, antibiotics, or genetic modifications to H. Pluvialis. If we also take into account that H. pluvialis grows relatively slowly compared to many eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms that thrive under the same cultivation conditions – it becomes clear that the cultivation of H. pluvialis for astaxanthin production is quite challenging.
Challenges of contamination
Everyone who has cultivated microalgae in photobioreactors under mild conditions knows that contamination of H. pluvialis cultures by other undesirable algae species is among the most significant issues of the process. Once a contaminant has gained ground in a photobioreactor, it is very hard to get completely rid of the contaminant – even when various methods to clean the system are combined!
So what is the best way to deal with the challenge of contamination? Algalíf has identified that the key factor to maintaining high culture quality and staying away from contamination issues is: Productivity!
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