Cell Biology in the manufacture of fucoxanthin

The first order in our discussion will start with plastids. Plant cells are the only place the organelles exist, and will be found in the cytoplasm surrounded by double membranes. The number of plastids within a cell will depend on the matter, environment, and structure of the plant. They store pigment molecules and products of photosynthesis for continued production. While there are three types, we will concern ourselves with just the two of relevance: Chromoplasts, which provide color, and Etioplasts, which are usually found in plants that lack light. The purpose of the latter is to give rise to other plastids as well as become chloroplasts that synthesize light.

Now, eukaroidic indicates the cell of an organism has nuclei (the center of activity). Somewhere before the age of antiquity, a secondary plastid was created when a eukaroyotic cell overwhelmed a red algae (a process noted to be endosynmbiosis) and created a secondary plastid. It was a unique event. The genes move from nuclei to nuclei. Fucoxanthin is a tertiary product of another such evolutionary event.

Brown algae are dominated by the xanthrophyll (oxygenated carotenoid) fucoxanthin and hence have antioxidant properties. Other colors produced by chlorophyll, beta-carotene and xanthophylls of other products are masked in the presence of the pigment. There is no true starch produced by the process of photosynthesis, and the main carbohydrate is called laminaran. Brown algae cell walls are composed of cellulose and alginic acid in long-chained heteropolysaccharides.

The most commonly known and harvested of the brown algae are kelp; which is also probably the most complex with differentiating internal tissue.

As for the genetics, brown algae have alternating haploid and diploid generations. Diploid means one generation has duplicate copies of each chromosome... Haploid is when there is only one set of each chromosome.

There are a few brown seaweeds that appear to be the color black and therefore thought, in error, to be red seaweeds. To determine which they are, simply rub them against the back of your hand. Goo covering the area after about 10 seconds will indicate you have most likely selected brown seaweed.

UCP has become a target of recent cell research. It is the mitochondria (power source of the cell) uncoupling protein in brown adipose tissue specific to mammalians. A 2004 study ((Jacobson et al., 1985; Bouillaud et al., 1986; Ridley et al., 1986) has been able to isolate the protein in mice and rats by using genetic sequencing. It is projected that studies on the rodents will enable scientists to determine if the protein responds similarly to humans under like conditions of pharmacology, etc. While there is debate in the medical research community as to the physiological significance of brown adipose tissue, there is an indication it may be a factor in obesity resistance in humans. The argument against this hypothesis is the presence in infants and also in adults with defined pathologic and non-pathologic conditions. A study by a team at Hokkaida University in Japan, done on mice, has demonstrated fucoxanthin induced uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) of fat tissue within the abdominal cavity and around. The UCP1 protein had significantly higher levels in the fucoxanthin fed mice.

Researchers noted it may be many years before the fucoxanthin may be isolated in sufficient quantities to become viable; since it is not synthesized by the body in its raw form in brown algae.

<<   Back to Fucoxathin Clinical Studies

We are strictly a bulk supplier to manufacturers – we do not sell to re-sellers or individuals. Our minimum order size is approximately 25 kilos. We are one of only a few suppliers that carry $5 million product liability insurance for our customers. AHD International LLC is classified as a importer, exporter, manufacturer, distributor of nutritional ingredients depending on the ingredient specified. AHD has 5 warehouse locations across North America and sales agents in over 10 countries. We are the only ingredient company to be awarded the Dun and Bradstreet's fastest growing company in America twice in 1999 and 2002.

For quotes please click here

*"These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease."