Science and Sustainability in Algae-Based Nutraceuticals

Marine-derived nutraceuticals such as astaxanthin, algae, and fucoidans are transforming from specialty nutraceuticals to more mainstream parts of wellness strategies. Recent market performance reflects this change. For example, according to data from the market research firm SPINS (Chicago), in the 52 weeks ending on November 30, 2025, sea moss saw 358.7% sales growth, reaching $19 million in the immune health category of the natural channel. The ingredient was also in the top 25 best-selling ingredients in that same channel, earning $45 million in sales, a 204.5% increase in sales. Exceptional growth in the natural channel often indicates that an ingredient will penetrate and find success in the mainstream channel, says Scott Dicker, senior director of market insights for SPINS.

The rise of these ingredients is driven by multiple angles. Consumers are increasingly requesting clean-label, plant-based ingredients backed by science, for example, and algae-based nutraceuticals can offer sustainable sourcing and evidence-based health outcomes. For manufacturers, algae-based ingredients offer a sustainable raw material with a stable supply chain.

Ingredient suppliers in this area are actively investing in innovations that enhance the processing or science behind algae-based ingredients. These varied approaches underscore the unique ways formulators can leverage these ingredients and their bioactives to create effective and compelling products.

Infrastructure and Cultivation Models

There are a variety of sourcing and production practices for algae-based ingredients that are foundational for shaping quality and scalability. BGG, for example, manufactures microalgae ingredients using glass-tube photobioreactors, touting efficiency and quality control as hallmarks of this technology. The facility, a closed system with an on-site research laboratory, produces astaxanthin, marketed as AstaZine, produced from Certified Organic Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae.¹ The microalgae react to sunlight and release astaxanthin as a protection, explains Tammi Higgins, managing director, Americas, BGG World, in Irvine, California. “We monitor all parameters 24 hours per day during cultivation, and the photobioreactor also has a built-in cleaning system that internally cleans the tubes to prevent contamination. The co-location of production and R&D is great for efficiency and helps us accelerate speed to market.”

Oceanium, in Oban, Scotland, focuses on a scalable farming model for source seaweed, which is a macroalgae, extracting multiple ingredients from a single biomass of brown seaweed, explains Sybille Buchwald-Werner, member of the Oceanium board of directors. The method of diverse sourcing supports long-term growth across nutritional categories and addresses multiple consumer needs, she adds. “The focus is on long-term supply resilience and consistent quality, and that’s why we have partners, but we also deliberately chose not to rely on a single farm or geography,” she explains, also noting that this philosophy helps deliver products to the market without compromising on company values. Scalability and environmental stewardship are built into the production systems, with room for continued growth in the sector.

Other models include ingredient sourcing through selective wild harvesting. Marinova, based in Cambridge, Australia, hand-harvests seaweed for its fucoidan extract ingredients, explains Rod Shelley, business development manager, noting the use of sustainable harvesting practices. The aim of sourcing practices has been to keep up with increasing consumer interest in these ingredients. “Marinova achieved record production volumes in 2025, with output of the company’s high-purity fucoidan ingredients more than doubling over the past 3 years,” he explains. In this case, responsible wild sourcing can meet the growing demand for ingredients while also protecting the environment.

In each case, technological, ecological, or logistical precision is a key component in supporting the commercial success of sourcing algae-derived ingredients.

Research on Health Indications in Marine Bioactives

A significant driver for the adoption of algae-based ingredients by manufacturers and consumers alike is the growing body of evidence substantiating numerous health benefits. “Astaxanthin offers benefits across many different areas, including brain health, eye health, skin health, cardiovascular support, joint and muscle support, and more,” explains Higgins. For example, a recently published randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group comparative study demonstrated anti-UV effects on the participants’ skin and, according to participants’ questionnaires, reduced hair dryness with 6 mg of daily AstaZine supplementation for eight weeks.²

Research areas for fucoidans for Marinova include gut and digestive health, immune modulation, and healthy inflammatory responses, Shelley explains. One research study, published in Marine Drugs in 2025, demonstrated increased colonic microbial diversity and higher levels of the short-chain fatty acid butyrate, known for its role in gut barrier support. Additionally, after 3 weeks of supplementation with Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan, using an in vitro gut model,³ results revealed mild immune modulatory effects and fermentation in the gut, demonstrating anti-inflammatory properties. “As the industry increasingly moves towards a holistic and natural approach to gut health, such investigations will continue to be critical for formulators of innovative gut support products,” Shelley adds.

Research on Oceanium’s prebiotic Ocean Actives H+, an extract of the brown seaweed Saccharina latissima, also demonstrated gut microbiome modulation and immune benefits. Published in Microorganisms in June 2025, the study tested a low dose (25 mg) and high dose (500 mg) of the extract twice daily over four weeks, demonstrating increases in beneficial bacteria and short-chain fatty acid biosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism through a functional pathway analysis.⁴

“The rule of research is to strengthen the composition, the understanding of seaweed, and the mode of action, and to have a credible evidence pathway. That's what we try to achieve in all the little puzzles of studies that we put together,” states Buchwald-Werner.

These recent studies and additional expanding evidence are helping shape the perceptions of these ingredients as offering targeted health benefits.

Overcoming Formulation Hurdles With Algae Ingredients

Producing ingredients sourced from algae into consumer-friendly formats may present a number of challenges, including solubility, stability, sensory impact, and bioavailability. Astaxanthin, for example, is difficult to formulate in beverages due to its low water solubility, Higgins explains, adding that its pigment profile is also an obstacle. To overcome these, BGG converts astaxanthin into an oily emulsion using its Dispersa technology, trapping it in a micellar system to prevent staining and ensure stability without sedimentation. As a result, astaxanthin has been used in multiple applications. “Thanks to advances in formulation technology, we can now supply our AstaZine astaxanthin for use in a vast array of applications,” Higgins adds. “These include tablets, capsules, soft gels, sachets, and beverages—we’ve even developed an astaxanthin coffee concept. That versatility is important because many consumers want functional products that are convenient and taste good.” Additionally, the astaxanthin product is available as an oleoresin, as well as in powders and beadlets.

Comparatively, fucoidans are easier to formulate with and are water-soluble, explains Shelley. Two of Marinova’s branded fucoidans, Maritech and Fucorich, highlight the range of application offerings. High-purity Maritech fucoidan extracts are stable across multiple delivery formats, especially nutraceutical applications, while the bioactive seaweed ingredient Fucorich includes marine mannitol flavoring and is intended for functional food and beverage applications.

Formulation technology and science have enabled greater market access and long-term success for these ingredients.

Sustainability as a Business Backbone

When it comes to algae-based ingredients, sustainability is achieved via sourcing, production, or both. In sourcing wild brown seaweed to create its fucoidan extracts, Marinova highlights its commitment to marine environmental sustainability while also promoting and protecting consumer health. Relying on a natural source involves careful selection of resources. “The company is a fervent protector of the marine environment, sourcing well-managed, wild seaweeds from only the cleanest of ocean waters, including those surrounding Tasmania, Patagonia, and Nova Scotia,” explains Shelley. “Marinova does not source seaweeds that have been grown or farmed in those parts of the world prone to industrial or human contamination or where environmentally sustainable harvesting practices cannot be assured.”

Oceanium focuses on responsible scaling of its capabilities, guided by science, regulatory realism, and diverse sourcing, Buchwald-Werner explains. “Sustainability is our backbone,” she says. “We have a combined robust process and the platform IP that allows us to work with both farmed seaweed and responsibly managed wild harvest. We can use seaweed across different regions, and we can still preserve credibility and commercial agility. That's important because seaweed is a broad field, and you have to have the know-how, which sources to take.” According to Buchwald-Werner, this risk-aware approach avoids the cycles of over-promising seen in the nutraceutical sector in the past, thus addressing consumer needs without losing their trust.

Sustainability is not isolated to sourcing, but is also an important factor in production. For example, BGG utilizes a self-contained processing and development facility. “We carry out farming, extraction, drying, packaging, and R&D within a 20km footprint, and that helps us produce our microalgae ingredients quickly and efficiently and with a reduced carbon footprint,” Higgins explains. “The co-location of production and R&D is great for efficiency and helps us accelerate speed to market.” Here, the reduction in operational complexity directly affects the efficiency of production and innovation.

Instead of being a differentiator in the nutraceutical marketplace, sustainability in these cases has evolved to be a mandatory part of ingredient sourcing and production.

What’s Next for Algae?

Algae ingredients are primed for multiple avenues of innovation and growth, from research to ingredient blends and more. Building on its body of research on the effects of fucoidans for gut and immune health, Marinova has invested in clinical research for men’s health, specifically the widespread condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), with more interest in this area anticipated in the global research community, Shelley explains.

For its part, BGG is exploring synergistic combinations with its astaxanthin, which have already been conducted, aiming to create additional benefits for consumers, such as tocotrienols for cognitive support and bilberry to support visual acuity. The company is also exploring ways to increase astaxanthin bioavailability, developing more algal strains, assessing how to leverage additional geographic conditions, and isolating new ingredients.

Conclusion: The Strategic Value of Marine Ingredients

Algae-derived ingredients are gaining attention and scientific backing, maturing as a valued source of wellness. As consumer needs and attention shift, these ingredients are being recognized for their efficacy, sustainability, traceability, and formulation versatility. “We’ve seen all over the world that modern consumers are very interested in plant-based, clean-label supplements with clinically proven health benefits,” Higgins says, also highlighting the sustainably and naturally sourced element.

Reliable supply and production are another source of sustained interest. Shelley attributes Marinova’s recent production growth to an increased demand for natural, sustainable, and effective ingredients with a transparent supply chain. “Fucoidan really does tick all the boxes,” he adds.

The alignment of technology, science, and sustainability has supported the recent innovation and growth of algae-based ingredients as a foundation for both environmental and personal health. As the interest grows, effectively harnessing the potential of these ingredients for human health is essential for success in this area, guided by clinical evidence and a commitment to sustainability.

References

1. McEvoy E. BGG announces expansion of astaxanthin facility and research. Nutritional Outlook. Published May 16, 2025. Accessed February 12, 2026. https://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/view/bgg-announces-expansion-of-astaxanthin-facility-and-research
2. Sekikawa T, Li Y, Izumi T. Anti-ultraviolet effects of astaxanthin derived from Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae on the skin, hair, and nails of Japanese people: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group comparative study. J Funct Foods. 2026;136:107138. doi:10.1016/j.jff.2025.107138
3. Wimmer BC, Dwan C, De Medts J, Duysburgh C, Rotsaert C, Marzorati M. Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan enhances gut microbiome, butyrate production, and exerts anti-inflammatory effects in an in vitro short-term SHIME coupled to a Caco-2/THP-1 co-culture model. Mar Drugs. 2025;23(6):242. doi:10.3390/md23060242
4. Garcia G, Soto J, Valenzuela C, Bernal M, Barreto J, Luzardo MdIC, et al. Gut microbiome modulation and health benefits of a novel fucoidan extract from Saccharina latissima: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Microorganisms. 2025;13(7):1545. doi:10.3390/microorganisms13071545