Blue biotech

Definition: A term of art referring to the application of molecular biological methods to marine and
freshwater life, using marine organisms, and their derivatives, to increase seafood supply and safety,
control proliferation of noxious water-borne organisms, and develop new drugs

Application: New ingredients sourced from the sea like microalgae. Microalgae sourced from the sea
contain anti-oxidants, pigments and vitamins and this is being increasingly used in cosmetic products.
For example, the red microalgae all natural eco-certified cosmetic ingredient Alguard manufactured by
Frutarom provides quick beauty enhancement and long term protection to the skin.
Synthetic colors used in cosmetics are also a point of concern and biotechnology has to a certain extent
helped resolve this problem. For example, various species of microalgae are a source of natural colors as
like orange color sourced from green algae Chlorophyta and blue & red color from red microalgae
Rhodophyta.
Another use of microalgae is in making cosmetic emulsions with soft gel behavior like those containing
the exocellular polysaccharides of red microalgae Porphyridiumsp and P.aerugineum.
Some algae like laminaria and agarum cribosum reportedly have hydrating and anti-aging properties and
so they find use in anti-aging formulas. There are other innovative products sourced from the sea as
well. For instance, Copalis a leading French cosmetic company makes a skin whitening preparation
which is essentially a Sea Beet Peptide extract that when used has a de-pigmenting effect by blocking
melanin synthesis. Sea Lavender Peptide is another product in their stable which is an anti-aging product
that protects against UV rays and is sourced from sea lavender.

Impact: Microalgae products that are free of contaminants, such as liver-damaging substances called
microcystins, toxic metals, and harmful bacteria, are possibly safe for most people. But some of
microalgae products that are contaminated are likely unsafe, especially for children. Children are more
sensitive to contaminated blue-green algae products than adults. For example contaminated of blue-
green algae can cause liver damage, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, weakness, thirst, rapid heartbeat,
shock, and death.