Nordkelp collaborates with the University of Iceland on fucoxanthin analysis in Laminaria hyperborea
Sustainability
May 15, 2026
Nordkelp, in collaboration with the University of Iceland, has received grant funding to optimise the extraction and quantification of fucoxanthin in Laminaria hyperborea.
Nordkelp is pleased to announce that funding has been secured for the analysis of fucoxanthin in Icelandic Laminaria hyperborea. This collaborative project, conducted with the University’s pharmacology and applied biotechnology departments, has been awarded a Fræ grant. The research will focus on quantifying fucoxanthin levels in dried lamina and stipe samples harvested at different times of the year, providing valuable insight into seasonal variation and helping to identify optimal harvesting conditions.
The project will be carried out at the University of Iceland and supported by a summer research student. It represents an important first step toward evaluating the feasibility of isolating fucoxanthin from Laminaria hyperborea as part of a future commercial biorefinery strategy.
Fucoxanthin is a carotenoid found exclusively in brown seaweeds and has attracted growing interest for its reported anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and metabolic health properties. With limited natural sources and increasing demand, it is considered a high-value compound within the nutraceutical market.
Nordkelp views this project as a first step toward developing a sustainable biorefinery approach, enabling the full valorisation of harvested kelp. By identifying and isolating high-value compounds such as fucoxanthin, the company aims to further expand the commercial potential of Laminaria hyperborea while supporting continued innovation.
Share this article