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Products from the Ocean

What do salad dressing, shampoo, cancer-fighting compounds, allergy medications, and ice cream all have in common? Believe it or not, all of these products are developed using ocean resources! In fact, many of the things that you use every day are developed with chemical compounds and living things found in the ocean. Red Algae Red algae are commonly known as seaweed. There are two important substances that we can derive from red algae: agar and carageenan. Scientists use agar in petri dishes to grow bacteria. However, if you look at the ingredients of lotion, yogurt, or gel-cap medications, you may see agar listed—but not for growing bacteria! Lotions and other cosmetics use agar as a stabilizing agent. Stabilizing agents are compounds used to keep other chemicals from reacting. Without agar, your shampoo would separate into its component parts. As stabilizer, agar can also give foods like jelly a firmer texture. It can also keep food from going bad quickly. Agar can have a gel-like consistency, so some medications include agar in the gel-caps. It’s also used as a thickener in products such as icing, yogurt, and processed cheese. Another substance that comes from red algae is called carrageenan. Carrageenan is mainly used as a stabilizer for foods. Look closely at the ingredients of ice cream, pudding, toothpaste, and some shampoos, and you will likely see carrageenan listed. Brown Algae Red algae aren’t the only type of algae used in products we come in contact with daily. Brown algae, another seaweed, also have several uses. Kelp is a form of brown algae. It is used in items like cake mixes and shampoos. The alginates found in brown

Substances extracted from kelp can be used as thickeners and stabilizers.

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algae can be used as thickeners and stabilizers much like the substances in red algae. Dentists also use alginates to make dental impressions. Alginates can also be used as thickeners in products such as shaving creams, rubber, and paint. It would be hard for you to come across a personal-care item that did not use ingredients from red or brown algae. Coral and Sponges Did you know that substances from the sea are used to save lives? It’s true! Substances found in coral and sponges have great importance to the medical industry. Key ingredients derived from sea sponges are used in prescription drug called Ara-C, which is used to treat cancer. Other substances that are found in coral reefs and sponges are used in the treatment of heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease. Medical researchers are often finding new uses for compounds found in coral and sponges. The ocean is full of riches that we depend on for our quality of life. Bacteria Russian and Norwegian scientists have found more than 14 new bacteria in the fjords surrounding Norway. Eleven of these bacteria have been found to secrete cancer-fighting substances, useful in treating leukemia, as well as stomach, prostate, and colon cancers. These bacteria have been able, in lab tests, to kill the cancer cells while leaving the healthy cells alive. The other three bacteria produce substances that kill other bacteria. Scientists are hopeful to develop these into medications as more and more disease-causing bacteria become resistant to antibiotic drugs.

Products from the Ocean

Coral reefs and sponges have saved lives.