“The research project is aimed at developing methods to produce bioactive poly-phenols from Icelandic seaweed (fucus vesiculosus); measure the activity of the chemicals, and try to mix them with skin products,” says Ásta María Einarsdóttir, food scientist and biochemist at the University of Iceland. Einarsdóttir has great faith in the seaweed which is a great source of poly-phenols; a natural anti-oxidant.
The study that Einarsdóttir participated in was supported by the Student’s Innovation Fund and is titled: “Bioactive poly-phenols from bladder wrack for skin products and design”. She worked on her study in collaboration with scientists from the knowledge and research institute Matís, which works on development and innovation in the food industry. Matís is a partner of the University of Iceland. Einarsdóttir joined Matís in the summer of 2011 and carried out her research under the guidance of scientists who had started investigating bioactivity in Icelandic seaweed, both for food and cosmetics. The research in Matís has shown that the seaweed contains high amounts of poly-phenols with high anti-oxidant activity.
“Icelandic seaweed has long been considered a neglected resource. The anti-oxidants are important for the preservation and protection of skin cells. The poly-phenols have good connective potentials to bind free radicals which cause damage in skin cells,” says Einarsdóttir, and adds that there are clear indications of the positive activity of the poly-phenols in the seaweed“. The conclusions of the study demonstrated that the Icelandic seaweed can be utilized to produce bioactive chemicals in a sustainable manner,” Einarsdóttir adds. “Thus a new sustainable industry may be created in Iceland based on the production of poly-phenols, creating wealth, employment, and increased possibilities in science and research; there has been increasing demand for skin products that contain natural substances based on scientific research. There are clear indicators for a new, sustainable and prosperous industry here.
Supervisors: Hörður G. Kristinsson, Director of Research at Matís and Rósa Jónsdóttir, Research Group Leader at Matís.
