(foodqualitynews.com) Natural
Microalgae and seaweed extracts are rich in polyphenolic compounds “which have well documented antioxidant properties,” and may also have antimicrobial activities against major food spoilage and food pathogenic micro-organisms, says the review.
Published in Innovative Food Science & Emerging Technologies, it outlines the potential uses of seaweed and seaweed extracts in the production of foods. The authors explore the potential for using the natural marine products as anti-microbial and anti-oxidation ingredients.
The authors, led by Dr. Nissreen Abu-Ghannam from Dublin Institute of Technology,
“Seaweed, being a rich source of structurally diverse bioactive compounds with valuable nutraceutical properties … Interest in the application of such compounds as natural antioxidants, antimicrobials or texturing agents in different food products is greater than ever,” said Abu-Ghannam and her colleagues.
“The addition of seaweeds or their extracts to food products will reduce the utilization of chemical preservatives, which will fulfil the industry as well as consumer demands for ‘green’ products,” they added.
Natural additives
Abu-Ghannam and her co-workers noted that research has suggested a potential for the application of seaweed extracts against lipid oxidation in foods. However, they noted that it is also important to see the efficacy of these extracts in complex foods.
“Considering the extensive data that is available on the antimicrobial potential of seaweed extracts against several pathogenic and spoilage micro-organisms, it will be interesting to review how effective the extracts have been when added to actual food products,” they said.
Review details
“Seaweeds are getting some serious consideration for nutritional enrichment of meat, bakery and pasta products,” noted the authors.
However, they said that whilst there is ‘immense literature’ available on the antimicrobial properties of seaweeds in vitro, there are very few studies available regarding their actual use in a food product.
Polysaccharides such as carrageenans and alginates, isolated from seaweeds, have also found extensive use in the food industry as a source of edible packaging material for ready to eat products, noted the review.
Abu-Ghannam and her team added that seaweed are a rich in dietary minerals specially sodium, potassium, iodine and fibres.
“Thus, there is an opportunity for the development of food products with low sodium content and high content of other minerals,” they said.
“Another potential area where the use of seaweed is gaining importance is regarding their addition for improving the textural properties of food products,” said Abu-Ghannam and her colleagues, adding that seaweeds are also “a rich source of dietary iodine and fibres which can also play a big part in enhancing the quality of food.”
(vasep.com.vn) VASEP has officially announced the program for Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026), featuring five in-depth sessions covering industry outlooks, trade barriers, buyer demand, the domestic market, and solutions to improve productivity and reduce costs across the seafood value chain.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.7 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 11% year on year. Although growth has been supported by China and several markets within the CPTPP, momentum is slowing as exports to the United States and the European Union decline. Tariff pressures, international competition, and raw material challenges are creating significant hurdles for exporters in the final months of the year.
(vasep.com.vn) Markets are changing faster, buyer requirements are becoming more demanding, and trade barriers are growing increasingly complex. In this environment, seafood businesses need more than an understanding of current market conditions. They need a longer-term perspective to answer a critical question: Where will growth opportunities come from in 2027–2029, and what should businesses do now to prepare? This is one of the key reasons why VASEP is organizing Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East reached US$113 million, up 7% year on year from the same period in 2025. Growth has become more pronounced in recent months. In August alone, exports to the region totaled US$20 million, an increase of 24%. This indicates that demand for Vietnamese pangasius in the Middle East is gradually recovering after a slowdown in March, although the pace of recovery varies across markets.
(vasep.com.vn) China’s shrimp imports continued to grow strongly in 2026, while Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the market also recorded notable growth. However, behind these positive figures lie two distinct trends: Chinese consumption is growing more slowly than imports, and lobster accounts for a substantial share of Vietnam’s shrimp exports to China, making its product mix significantly different from those of Ecuador and India. Exporters therefore need to assess each segment carefully to understand the opportunities and risks.
(vasep.com.vn) Changing markets, shifting buyer demand, and increasingly complex trade barriers are raising a key question for Vietnam’s seafood industry: Where will the new growth opportunities lie in 2027–2029?
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As of the end of August 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States reached $21 million, representing a steep 48% year-over-year decline and accounting for 23% of the country's total tilapia export turnover. Frozen fillets accounted for 78% with the remainder consisting of whole frozen tilapia and frozen cuts.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a volatile first half of the year, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to Brazil registered robust growth in July and August 2026. In August alone, export turnover reached $19 million, surging 73% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively for the first eight months, total export value reached $124 million, reflecting an 8% year-over-year increase.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Besides modifying their boats, many fishermen in Dak Lak province are making efforts to venture out to sea to harvest seafood during the rough sea season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) At the Responsible Seafood Summit and TCRS Shrimp Summit 2026, organized by the GSA (Global Seafood Alliance) in Bangkok, Thailand, the conversation about the future of the shrimp industry began with one of its most important foundations: seedstock quality.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO
Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn
Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh
Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn
VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn