Pigments in Seaweed Analysis

Seaweed is micro seaweed that produce pigments. Seaweeds such as red, brown and green seaweed are excellent sources of many natural food colorings. These natural pigments are used to impart desired outcomes such as biological activity (antioxidant, antidiabetic, immunomodulatory, antiangiogenic, anti-inflammatory, etc.), organoleptic properties in food/feed products and functional foods/nutrients (as food colorants). The type, amount and biochemical composition and biological properties of algal pigments are highly variable, and these properties influence the choice of protocols useful for extracting these pigments. Algal pigments include chlorophyll and carotenoids such as carotene and lutein. Together, these pigments enable the seaweed to absorb the light needed for photosynthesis at depths with varying light intensities. Research on these seaweed-derived bioactive compounds have increased significantly in recent years, and there is currently considerable interest in the antioxidant, anti-obesity, and anticancer activities of macroalgal pigments. For each component determined by wet chemical analysis at CD BioSciences, each sample will be analyzed in replicates, and we will provide component data for each replicate along with the mean and standard deviation between replicates. Our analysis services typically provide highly accurate results.

Fig. 1 Schematic representation of the light reactions of photosynthesis in algae. (Kumar K S, et al., 2014)

Our Services

Our services are primarily used for the analysis of various algal-derived pigments. According to customer needs, we can provide customized services. In each case, the user must provide the specific method required and discuss the settings with the responsible service provider.

• Fucoxanthin Analysis
• Chlorophyl-a Analysis
• Beta-Carotene Analysis
• Violaxanthin Analysis
• Astaxanthin Analysis
• Chlorophyll-b Analysis
• Neoxanthin Analysis
• Chlorophyll-C Analysis
• Lutein Analysis

Our Techniques

UHPLC (ultra-high performance liquid chromatography) is a separation analysis technique that follows the same principles as HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) significantly reduces analysis time without sacrificing sensitivity and resolution. UHPLC provides numerous applications in environmental science, ecology, pharmacology, biomedical research, forensic chemistry, and the chemical and food industries.

Information for Users

• Sample Characteristics and Delivery Procedure
  Given the wide variety of samples that can be analyzed by this technique, users should contact the responsible scientific services staff to agree on the specific nature of preprocessing and delivery for each sample type.
• Results Delivery Deadline
  Results delivery time is typically one week per 20 samples.
• Sample Management
  Once the results are delivered and approved by the user, the center will not retain the remaining samples unless requested by the user.
• Communication Service-user
  It will be via email and phone. The contact is the scientific and technical head of the service.

CD BioSciences is a professional service provider for the marine biology industry. Our seaweed pigments analysis services can help you determine the value of your sample and its best use. We provide our customers with the most precise ingredient data and highly informed process expertise. Our team of biomass experts plays a key role in the formulation, optimization and commercial evaluation of biomass value-added processes in industry and academia. If necessary, please feel free to contact us.

Reference

• Kumar K S, Dahms H U, Lee J S, et al. Algal photosynthetic responses to toxic metals and herbicides assessed by chlorophyll a fluorescence[J]. Ecotoxicology and environmental safety, 2014, 104: 51-71.

Please kindly note that our services can only be used to support research purposes (Not for clinical use).