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Seaweed Tissue Analysis Program Overview

March 24, 2025

Lead Entities: Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation, Celignis, Marine Biologics, University of Alaska Fairbanks

Grant Component: Research & Development

Through the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation (AFDF) subaward, the Alaska Mariculture Cluster (AMC) has funded three Research & Development projects to date focused on analyzing seaweed tissue composition to help us better understand potential uses of Alaska kelps and other seaweeds.

These studies provide insights into nutritional composition, valuable bioactive compounds, processing potential and quality assurance, helping seaweed farmers, processors, and researchers harness the full economic value of Alaska’s vast marine resources.

The Seaweed Tissue Analysis Program is a critical step toward commercializing and scaling Alaska’s seaweed industry. By building a scientific foundation for quality assurance and marketability, the program is expected to:

  • Support product innovation in food, nutraceuticals, biostimulants, bioplastics, and beauty.
  • Enable processors to refine extraction techniques for high-value compounds.
  • Inform future seaweed farming and harvesting strategies.
  • Establish industry standards for seaweed quality and composition.
  • Attract investment and market interest in Alaska’s mariculture sector.

Review the Seaweed Tissue Analysis Program’s funded projects:

Project #1: Laboratory analysis of samples from 15 wild & farmed seaweed species

Status: Complete
Lead Contractor: Celignis Limited
Funding: $360,000
Species: Agarum clathratum (sea colander); Alaria marginata (winged kelp); Chondracanthus exasperates (turkish towel); Codium fragile (dead man’s fingers); Costaria costata (five-ribbed kelp); Cymathaere triplicata (three-ribbed kelp); Desmarestia viridis (stringy acid kelp); Devaleraea mollis (dulse); Eualaria fistulosa (dragon kelp); Fucus distichus (rockweed); Gracilaria pacifica (red ogo); Hedophyllum nigripes (brown lacy kelp); Macrocystis pyrifera (giant kelp); Nereocystis luetkeana (bull kelp); Opuntiella californica (prickly pear); Saccharina latissima (sugar kelp); Ulva spp. (sea lettuce)

This foundational study focused on analyzing the nutritional composition, carbohydrate content, and bioactive compounds in Alaskan seaweeds. Celignis conducted extensive testing on samples collected in Kodiak and Sitka in May and June 2024. Using advanced laboratory techniques, Celignis performed more than 40 different analyses per sample, assessing everything from basic macronutrients to specialized metabolites such as fucoidans, alginates, and phlorotannins.

This research is vital for identifying high-value compounds that could support Alaska’s food, agriculture, cosmetics, and biotechnology industries. Data from this project are analyzed under Project #2 to ensure translation into actionable insights for industry stakeholders.

Email Alex Huller, AFDF (ahuller@afdf.org) with any questions or for data access.

Status: In Progress / Complete by May 2025
Lead Contractor: Marine Biologics
Funding: $45,000
Species: Same as Project #1

This ongoing project is designed to interpret and synthesize the vast amount of seaweed data produced through Celignis’s lab work (Project #1 above). Marine Biologics is producing species profiles, a comprehensive data set, and memos that surface key findings and recommendations.   Their research will evaluate how nutritional, structural, and bioactive compounds vary by season, location, and species. Stakeholder interviews and market assessments will further refine the findings. By summarizing key findings in technical reports, species profiles, and industry benchmarks, this study will help farmers, processors, and policy makers make informed decisions about which species hold the most commercial promise. This work is expected to guide future seaweed tissue research, inform regulatory strategies, and further position Alaska as a leader in sustainable seaweed production.

Email Spencer Serin, Marine Biologics (spencer@marinebiologics.com) with any questions.

Status: Complete
Lead Researcher: Cameron Jardell (University of Alaska Fairbanks)
Funding: $20,000
Species: Bull kelp, ribbon kelp, sugar kelp

A separate project from the two described above, this study – a master’s thesis project by a University of Alaska Fairbanks student – examined polysaccharides concentrations in farmed kelp in Alaska. These carbohydrates are a focus of several seaweed processing startup companies, with applications in health supplements, medicine, and other markets. This study assessed the relative abundance of four carbohydrates (glucan, mannitol, alginate, and fucoidan) in bull, ribbon, and sugar kelp. AMC funds supported purchases of cultivated kelp, sampling supplies, and lab services.  Cameron continues to be involved in development of Alaska mariculture industry and currently works on kelp gametophyte seeding research at the Chugach Regional Resources Commission in Seward.

Read the M.S. Thesis

About AFDF

Since 1978, the AFDF has broadly represented the Alaska seafood industry (harvesters, processors, and support service businesses) in the areas of research and development. Since 2014, AFDF has spearheaded the Alaska Mariculture Initiative, an effort to expedite the development of growing shellfish and seaweed in Alaska.

AFDF is a part of the AMC coalition and one of the subaward recipients. As part of its subaward, AFDF oversees some of the AMC’s Research and Development programs, including the Joint Innovation Projects, Seaweed Tissue Analysis, and De-Risking Mariculture Investments.

Background

Southeast Conference (SEC) is the federally designated Economic Development District (EDD) for Southeast Alaska, as well as the state designated Alaska Regional Development Organization. SEC’s mission is to undertake and support activities that promote strong economies, sustainable communities, and a healthy environment in Southeast Alaska.

In September 2022, Southeast Conference was awarded a $49 million U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBBRC) grant to catalyze a viable and sustainable mariculture industry in Alaska, supporting the production of shellfish and seaweed, for the long-term benefit of the state’s economy, environment, and communities.

SEC leads the Alaska Mariculture Cluster (AMC) grant coalition, which includes members of Alaska’s mariculture industry, tribal organizations, regulatory agencies, university system, regional EDDs, trade organizations, and others. A Governance Body, composed of AMC coalition leaders and Tribal executives from each of the project regions, guides the grant’s work and equity metrics.

The AMC has complementary grant components designed to break down barriers and develop Alaska’s mariculture industry.  The Overarching Narrative explains how the grant components work together to grow the industry in an equitable and responsible manner. The full project period for the AMC BBBRC project is October 1, 2022 to September 30th, 2026.