SuanNutra USA Secures US Distribution Rights for TetraSOD Marine Bioactive

SuanNutra USA has entered into a distribution agreement with Spanish biotech firm Fitoplancton Marino, S.L. that grants the nutraceutical ingredients supplier commercial rights to distribute TetraSOD across the US market.¹

What Is TetraSOD?

TetraSOD is a patented bioactive marine complex derived from the microalgae Tetraselmis chuii, a species first identified in the 1950s and long used in aquaculture for its nutritional profile. The ingredient is positioned around cellular and metabolic health, with the company citing supporting data in body composition and energy metabolism. Beyond its high superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, the formulation contains polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, carotenoids, polyphenols, and phytosterols. According to the release, TetraSOD functions as an indirect antioxidant, engaging the body's own defense and adaptive response systems.

How Is It Produced?

Fitoplancton Marino cultivates and harvests the microalgae in closed outdoor bioreactors located near El Puerto de Santa María on the Spanish coast, using a patented method the company says concentrates SOD activity to a minimum of 30,000 µ/g. The strain itself was isolated in Doñana Natural Park, a protected wetland region in Europe, and the news release notes that no chemical extraction is used—the microalgae is harvested and dried directly into powder form.

What Does the Research Show?

Per the release, the ingredient's evidentiary base, includes 17 peer-reviewed studies conducted since 2006 (the most recent published in March 2026) and 10 patents. Clinical research is grouped into three areas: metabolic health and body composition, physical performance and recovery, and cellular and systemic health. Cited findings include improvements in VO2 max and recovery markers within 14 days of use. “Additional studies have demonstrated TetraSOD’s role in supporting post-workout muscle recovery, noting its ability to reduce muscle damage,” stated Marián Gutiérrez Montero, Business Development Director of SuanNutra. “According to a couple of preclinical studies, the daily ingestion of TetraSOD reduced markers associated with oxidative stress and inflammation, and most recently we uncovered evidence of its potential role as a prebiotic.”

One published trial supporting the performance claims involved 32 amateur soccer players in a double-blind design, with one group taking 25 mg of Tetraselmis chuii daily for 30 days and a control group taking a lactose placebo.² Researchers found that heart rate decreased and oxygen pulse, along with relative and absolute maximum oxygen consumption, increased in the supplemented group, alongside increases in hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin.

What Is Its Regulatory Status?

TetraSOD holds Novel Food approval in the EU, self-affirmed GRAS status in the US, and a Natural Product Number in Canada, and the release notes it has recently become a top-selling ingredient in Japan. The effective daily dose referenced in clinical trials is 25 mg.

What Does This Mean for Formulators?

Anthony Weston, CEO of SUANNUTRA, highlighted the addition of the ingredient to the company’s portfolio and its anticipated impact in the market. “With its solid clinical evidence, low effective dose, and benefits that were perceived by subjects in under a month, we believe TetraSOD has the potential to become a true hero ingredient in the US market,” he stated. “Its unique marine origin and sustainable production further reinforce its differentiation in a highly competitive, yet fast-growing market—particularly across metabolic health, performance, and healthy ageing categories.”

“This micro-seaweed’s wellness attributes are proving to be diverse and all-encompassing and already feature in a full spectrum of supplement formulations targeting healthy ageing, sports and active nutrition, GLP-1 support, and cellular health,” added Gutiérrez Montero.

The TetraSOD agreement also arrives as SuanNutra broadens its footprint more generally: the company has separately agreed to acquire specialty natural ingredients businesses from IFF, adding botanical extraction and fermentation manufacturing to its portfolio, a deal expected to close by year-end 2026.³

References

1. SuanNutra USA. SUANNUTRA USA Seals US Distribution Rights for TetraSOD®. May 20, 2026. Accessed July 27, 2026. News release provided via email.
2. Toro V, Siquier-Coll J, Bartolomé I, Robles-Gil MC, Rodrigo J, Maynar-Mariño M. Effects of Tetraselmis chuii microalgae supplementation on ergospirometric, haematological and biochemical parameters in amateur soccer players. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(18):6885. doi:10.3390/ijerph17186885
3. Saraceno N. SuanNutra to acquire specialty natural ingredients businesses from IFF. Nutritional Outlook. July 20, 2026. Accessed July 27, 2026. https://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/view/suannutra-to-acquire-specialty-natural-ingredients-businesses-iff