Enzymatic approaches to add value to underutilized marine

Using simplified language understandable to a layperson, provide a general, one-paragraph description of the proposed research project to be undertaken by the student(s) as well as the expected outcomes. (Approx. 150 words) Seaweeds have been used traditionally as food, medicines, fodder and fertilizers since time immemorial. Dulse (Palmaria palmata), an edible red alga is widely distributed in cold waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, is harvested and historically consumed in the costal areas of Canada (east coast). The chemical composition and nutrition value of dulse has been studied, from which it has been suggested that dulse has great potential to be further processed into value-added products. Although dulse contains various nutritious and bioactive components, the high degree of structural complexity and rigidity of its cell walls prevents the release of those intracellular constituents during digestion in the human gastrointestinal tract. Enzymatic processing can degrade cell walls and break down polysaccharides and proteins into oligosaccharides and peptides with bioactivity. This project will study on the effects of enzymatic treatments on the bioavailability of other bioactive compounds of dulse; besides, a comprehensive in vitro study on bioactivity, and ability to remove heavy metals will be investigated

Faculty Supervisor:

Benjamin Simpson

Student:

Partner:

Delaware State University

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

McGill University

Program: