A Natural Carotenoid Called Fucoxanthin

A carotenoid is a naturally occurring organic pigment found in many plants, algae, fungus and bacteria. Fucoxanthin is a carotenoid and is considered an accessory pigment found in many seaweed and kelp. In fact, Fucoxanthin is responsible for the brown or olive green coloring in these underwater algae. While Fucoxanthin, like chlorophyll, both process light, Fucoxanthin is not as efficient. But Fucoxanthin has one distinct and important advantage over chlorophyll, Fucoxanthin can process light underwater much more easily than chlorophyll. Because of this, Fucoxanthin is at least a part of most under water organisms. The pigment Fucoxanthin is also found in some marine animals. The sea urchin Paracentrotus Lividus contains Fucoxanthin in its gut wall.

Although considered a plant by many, seaweed and kelp are both forms of algae. Many algae commonly contain the brownish pigment known as Fucoxanthin. Fucoxanthin is easily identifiable in any seaweed by its brown to olive green coloring. Although common in most kelp and seaweed, Red and Green seaweed are two good examples of algae that contain little Fucoxanthin in their cell structure. Brown seaweed is the most common algae with an abundance of the naturally occurring pigment Fucoxanthin.

There are reportedly thousands of species of brown algae worldwide. Most brown algae are marine organisms with the exception of four rare freshwater species. These marine species most commonly grow in shallow waters where sunlight will penetrate the depths. Fucoxanthin is necessary for these algae to process the limited sunlight available into energy. Most seaweed grows from the ocean floor and in rock crevices referred to as strong holds. Some species of brown seaweed can grow to 100 feet long. Most have little arms that are referred to as stripes. Seaweed uses its arms to anchor itself in one spot. Gulfweed is a brown algae that depends on Fucoxanthin and is recognizable from the little air filled berry like pods utilized to keep the long branches afloat at the ocean's surface.

One species of brown algae more commonly known as Wakame is one of the more popular fresh sources of Fucoxanthin. Wakame is considered an edible sea vegetable and is a common ingredient in many Asian dishes including Miso Soup and Japanese Seaweed Salad. Over the years seaweed in general has become a popular dietary supplement and because brown seaweed is high in Fucoxanthin it has become the topic of many scientific studies. Though studies concerning the benefits of Fucoxanthin are inconclusive, many people still use Fucoxanthin oral supplements. Manufacturing and distribution of Fucoxanthin supplements is a growing market.

Fucoxanthin is also used as a food coloring. Although the extraction process from brown algae is difficult the end result is a brown powder soluble in ethanol. This food colorant was fed to laying chickens, produced no color change in their yolks, although other changes in the yolk were detected.

Although Fucoxanthin rich Wakame is a popular food in Japan and other Asian cultures, in New Zealand Wakame is considered an invasive weed. Wakame is not native to the waters of New Zealand but has adapted easily. Since 1980 brown seaweed has grown rapidly, creating vast kelp beds surrounding New Zealand. Because Wakame is very adaptable and spreads rapidly, many see Fucoxanthin rich Wakame as an easily renewable food source.

Recent medical studies of Fucoxanthin although not substantiated have led to an increase in consumption of fresh brown seaweed and the extracted form of Fucoxanthin as well. Since large kelp forests off the California coast are abundant with brown seaweed many theorize these kelp forests represent a potentially lucrative market if theories regarding Fucoxanthin are proven.

Sources:
Fucoxanthin.info
StraightFromTheDoc

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