gms | German Medical Science

Seaweeds from our regional coasts have been neglected with respect to their value for the society. The pilot ‘Cosmetics‘ aims at demonstrating the sustainable use of algae by developing economically feasible extraction methods and manufacturing processes. In particular, with FucoSan we plan to pave the way to a broad use of the marine biomolecule group of fucoidans in cosmetics in a straightforward and fast track to the market. Species of interest are the ‘bladderwrack’ Fucus vesiculosus and other brown seaweed. Particularly, the challenge was to develop an economically feasible industrial scale extraction as well as a fucoidan-containing extract that comprises attractive product features. Therefore, we have developed a process that is adapted to the specific physico-chemical properties of Fucus vesiculosus, combining optimal crushing, maceration, coarse as well as ultra-filtration and preservation, gaining a fucoidan-containing extract. This extract is suitable – in terms of regulation, functional properties and product stability – for the cosmetics market. Furthermore, investigations of remaining material from the side stream have revealed a significantly higher content of fucoidan than the finely filtered or coarse filtered extract. This material could lead to a further product development.