Seaweed processing has seen significant innovations in recent years due to advances in extraction methods, bio-refinery strategies, sustainable processing, and diversified industrial applications. Below is a comprehensive summary of the latest scientific developments:

♻️ Advanced Extraction Techniques

1. Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE)

UAE utilizes high-frequency sound waves (>20 kHz) to create cavitation in solvents, disrupting seaweed cell walls and enhancing the release of bioactive compounds.

• This method significantly increases extraction efficiency for compounds like carrageenan and laminarin from red and brown algae while reducing processing time and solvent use.
• A recent study demonstrated the UAE method achieved a 25–50% higher extraction yield compared to conventional methods.

More information:

https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10030516

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9455623/

2. Enzyme-Assisted Extraction (EAE)

EAE applies enzymes (e.g., proteases, cellulases) to degrade cell walls under mild conditions, preserving thermolabile bioactives. This method has been optimized for carrageenan recovery from red algae, yielding high-purity extracts with superior gel properties.

More information:

https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10030516

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s43014-022-00103-2

3. Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES)

NADES are biodegradable, non-toxic solvents gaining popularity as green alternatives to organic solvents.Combined with UAE, NADES have been used to extract polyphenols from Saccharina latissima with improved yield and environmental safety.

More information:

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/epdf/10.1021/acssuschemeng.4c06736?ref=article_openPDF​

♻️ Valorization of Seaweed By-products

After hydrocolloid extraction, 70–85% of the biomass often remains underutilized.
Recent research focuses on the seaweed biorefinery approach, which aims to fully valorize biomass through:

• Bio-recovery: Secondary extraction of proteins, pigments, polyphenols, and fibers from residual biomass.
• Bio-conversion: Anaerobic digestion and thermochemical conversion for biofuel and biochar production.
• Microbial engineering: Engineering microbes to synthesize high-value products from seaweed-derived sugars.

More information:

https://fppn.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s43014-022-00103-2

♻️ Advanced Drying Technologies

Drying is a critical step for shelf-life and quality preservation in seaweed products. Modern approaches are being investigated for:

• Hybrid drying systems: Combining microwave and convective drying for reduced time and better retention of functional compounds.
• Vacuum and freeze drying: For high-value products requiring minimal degradation of heat-sensitive compounds.

These technologies enhance product quality while reducing energy consumption.

♻️ Emerging Industrial Applications

1. Food & Nutrition

Seaweed-derived compounds such as alginate, fucoidan, and carrageenan are widely used as gelling, stabilizing, and nutritional additives.

Companies like Marine Biologics are developing fermented seaweed slurries (SuperCrudes) as ingredients for food, cosmetics, and bioplastics.

2. Cosmetics & Biopolymers

Seaweed extracts are used in skincare for moisturizing, antioxidant, and anti-aging effects. Startups like Skipping Rocks Lab and Loliware are using seaweed to create biodegradable packaging to replace single-use plastics.

3. Agriculture & Climate Change Mitigation

The red algae Asparagopsis taxiformis is being added to cattle feed in places like Hawaii and Australia, where studies show it can reduce methane emissions by up to 77%, contributing significantly to climate change mitigation.