HUMBLE seaweed – often only thought of in the past as a natural fertiliser – could now be the key to treating millions of people across the world who suffer from Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), according to a Teagasc research project.

An estimated six million people globally (40,000 in Ireland) suffer from IBD – also known as Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis – a painful and disruptive condition which in cases can be life threatening.

Now, as part of the latest EU Horizon 2020 Algae41BD project, Teagasc researchers are exploring the identification and development of what are known as ‘small molecules’ derived from seaweed which can provide relief from IBD.

According to the latest edition of the Teagasc TResearch magazine, the project involves research institutes with experiencing in the harvesting and aquaculture of seaweeds and microalgae, as well as gastroenterologists, food and functional food product developers, and the pharmaceutical industry.

Algae, or seaweed, has according to Teagasc been consumed as a human food for thousands of years across Asia, as well as in Central and South America, but in Europe it’s use as a food, functional food, or drug is ‘only just beginning to be explored’.

Teagasc researchers point out that the health benefits of small molecules found in seaweeds and microalgae is a relatively new area of bio-discovery of biodiversity for researchers.

“Marine species of both seaweeds and microalgae have tremendous potential for use as a reservoir of health-beneficial bioactive molecules and food ingredients,” Teagasc state.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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