Laminaria digitata (Kombu)

Laminaria digitata, also known as “oarweed”, is a macro-algae found in the North Atlantic, Baltic and North Sea, which can form extensive seaweed forests.

The best known and economically most relevant use of Laminaria digitata is the production of alginate from the alginic acid it contains, which is used as a thickening agent for the food industry^{[8, 9, 10]}.
But it can also be consumed as a seaweed vegetable.

In the past, Laminaria digitata was valued and used as a natural fertiliser and iodine source.

In addition to its use as a food and fertilizer, oarweed also has much to offer the cosmetics industry.
Due to its many minerals and trace elements, Laminaria digitata has a revitalising and mineralising effect on the skin. Added to this are moisturising and antioxidant properties that protect the skin from external influences^{[5, 6]}.

The liquid is usually used in the production of cosmetics and aquaristics.

This product is available in the following forms of liquid extracts:

• Water extract
• Debacterialized water extract
• Glycerin extract 
• Water-glycerin extract
• Oil extract

The product is also available as powder.

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Typical applications in the cosmetics industry:

Laminaria digitata has good moisturizing and remineralizing properties, which are based on the broad nutrient profile. Among them, for example, alginates, mannitol and amino acids.

This nutrient profile helps to support the skin in its natural protection. Laminaria digitata acts as an antioxidant and reduces the effects of oxidative stress on the skin^{[5, 6]}.

In addition, Laminaria digitata can be used in anti-aging cosmetics as it tightens the skin and reduces wrinkles. The macroalga revitalizes the skin by covering and replenishing the natural needs of minerals, vitamins, proteins and carbohydrates^[11]. This has a positive effect on the appearance of the skin and has a supporting effect in keeping the skin young for as long as possible.

 

 

Sources:

1. M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 04 November 2024. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland (https://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=165272)
2. Laminaria digitata - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laminaria_digitata)
3. Purcell-Meyerink D, Packer MA, Wheeler TT, Hayes M. Aquaculture Production of the Brown Seaweeds Laminaria digitata and Macrocystis pyrifera: Applications in Food and Pharmaceuticals. Molecules. 2021 Feb 28;26(5):1306. doi: 10.3390/molecules26051306. PMID: 33671085; PMCID: PMC7957606. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33671085/)
4. Costa MM, Pestana JM, Osório D, Alfaia CM, Martins CF, Mourato M, Gueifão S, Rego AM, Coelho I, Coelho D, Lemos JPC, Fontes CMGA, Lordelo MM, Prates JAM. Effect of Dietary Laminaria digitata with Carbohydrases on Broiler Production Performance and Meat Quality, Lipid Profile, and Mineral Composition. Animals (Basel). 2022 Apr 13;12(8):1007. doi: 10.3390/ani12081007. PMID: 35454252; PMCID: PMC9025196. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35454252/)
5. Reshma BS, Aavula T, Narasimman V, Ramachandran S, Essa MM, Qoronfleh MW. Antioxidant and Antiaging Properties of Agar Obtained from Brown Seaweed Laminaria digitata (Hudson) in D-Galactose-Induced Swiss Albino Mice. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2022 Feb 24;2022:7736378. doi: 10.1155/2022/7736378. PMID: 35251211; PMCID: PMC8894001. (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8894001/)
6. Ozanne, H., Toumi, H., Roubinet, B., Landemarre, L., Lespessailles, E., Daniellou, R., & Cesaro, A. (2020). Laminarin Effects, a β-(1,3)-Glucan, on Skin Cell Inflammation and Oxidation. Cosmetics, 7(3), 66. (https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics7030066)
7. Jeukendrup AE, Randell R. Fat burners: nutrition supplements that increase fat metabolism. Obes Rev. 2011 Oct;12(10):841-51. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-789X.2011.00908.x. PMID: 21951331.
8. Zdiri K, Cayla A, Elamri A, Erard A, Salaun F. Alginate-Based Bio-Composites and Their Potential Applications. J Funct Biomater. 2022 Aug 10;13(3):117. doi: 10.3390/jfb13030117. PMID: 35997455; PMCID: PMC9397003. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35997455/)
9. Cheng D, Jiang C, Xu J, Liu Z, Mao X. Characteristics and applications of alginate lyases: A review. Int J Biol Macromol. 2020 Dec 1;164:1304-1320. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.07.199. Epub 2020 Jul 31. PMID: 32745554. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32745554/)
10. Hoan NX, Anh LTH, Ha HT, Cuong DX. Antioxidant Activities, Anticancer Activity, Physico-Chemistry Characteristics, and Acute Toxicity of Alginate/Lignin Polymer. Molecules. 2023 Jul 3;28(13):5181. doi: 10.3390/molecules28135181. PMID: 37446843; PMCID: PMC10343217. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37446843/)
11. Dahl, Leyla - Composition of Laminaria digitata biomass during a potential, 2018 (https://odr.chalmers.se/items/8eb948f6-c9f1-4972-b5aa-8284ba439d85)