South Australian Seaweed Can Slow Effects of Aging on Skin

In a new study, scientists found that South Australian brown seaweed has rich anti-aging properties that can protect against the deterioration of both collagen and elastin in humans, the Xinhua reported.

"We found that extracts from South Australian brown seaweed have huge potential to be used to help slow the effects of aging on our skin," Wei Zhang, co-author of the study from the College of Medicine and Public Health at Flinders University, said in a media release.

"Collagen acts as a building block for bones, teeth, muscles, skin, joints and connective tissue, while elastin gives skin its elasticity and strength, and both these proteins are popularly promoted by the beauty industry as essential for the appearance of healthy skin."

Researchers evaluated the anti-aging properties of extracts from three brown seaweed species endemic to SA, finding that they stimulated the growth of collagen and inhibited the process of glycation, which causes the degeneration of collagen and elastin.

According to the study, SA has the world's highest seaweed diversity with up to 1,500 known species, more than half of which are endemic to the state.

The Australian Seaweed Institute (ASI) forecasts that the domestic seaweed cultivation industry could be worth 1.5 billion Australian dollars (963.9 million U.S. dollars) annually by 2040 and employ 9,000 people.

"Seaweed is a great source of multiple bioactive ingredients with potential applications in natural health and skincare products," Zhang said on Monday.

"Our findings will help to fill knowledge gaps and sustainably develop brown seaweed advancement in topical and supplement skincare products."

4155/v