Israeli researchers develop innovative way to grow nutrient-rich seaweeds

Jerusalem [Israel], August 22: Israeli researchers have developed an innovative way to grow seaweeds rich in nutrients, proteins, dietary fiber and minerals for human and animal needs, Tel Aviv University (TAU) in central Israel said on Sunday.
The enriched seaweeds could potentially be used as natural food, thanks to their nutritional values, and could help address food insecurity, TAU stated.
The research, led by TAU and Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, shows that using a two-step technique that first grows seaweed with finfish and then exposes the plant to short-term high irradiance, nutrient starvation, and high salinity to stimulate synthesis of desired ingredients in their tissues, according to the study.
This process enabled high growth rates of up to 25 percent seaweed biomass increase per day, with enhancements in the amount of protein, starch, and minerals within days, according to the study.
The research was newly published in the journal Innovative Food Science and Emerging Technologies.
Source: Xinhua