Ulva sp.

Ulva, also known as "sea lettuce", is a green algae that can be found almost all over the world on sea coasts.  

The sea lettuce is, as the name suggests, often eaten and offered as a sea salad. But it also finds a place in pasta or seasoning mixtures. 

Ulva offers a great variety of micro and macro nutrients^[1]. Sea lettuce does not only benefit us humans as a healthy food, many sea animals rely on this algae as it shows a considerable amount of protein, dissolvable dietary fibers, and a range of vitamins and minerals and iron^{[2, 3]}. Therefore it is no suprise that Ulva is being used as an additive for animal feed.

The powder is commonly used for food and dietary supplements.

This product is available in the following forms: Ulva sp. powder, Ulva sp. flakes, dried raw Ulva sp. algae or fresh Ulva sp. algae. This product is also available as a non-organic variant.

Typical applications in the cosmetics industry:

Rich in magnesium, proteins, iron and vitamin C, Ulva sp. green algae have much potential in cosmetic applications, especially in anti-aging products^[7].

Ulva species also possess antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiviral activities^{[4, 5, 6]}.

Ulva sp. therefore lend themselves to possible uses in the treatment of sagging skin as well as skin strengthening.

Sources:

1. Blomme J, Wichard T, Jacobs TB, De Clerck O. Ulva: An emerging green seaweed model for systems biology. J Phycol. 2023 Jun;59(3):433-440. doi: 10.1111/jpy.13341. Epub 2023 May 31. PMID: 37256696. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37256696/)
2. Bodin J, Adrien A, Bodet PE, Dufour D, Baudouin S, Maugard T, Bridiau N. Ulva intestinalis Protein Extracts Promote In Vitro Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid Production by Human Dermal Fibroblasts. Molecules. 2020 Apr 30;25(9):2091. doi: 10.3390/molecules25092091. PMID: 32365755; PMCID: PMC7249168. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32365755/)
3. Taboada C, Millán R, Míguez I. Composition, nutritional aspects and effect on serum parameters of marine algae Ulva rigida. J Sci Food Agric. 2010 Feb;90(3):445-9. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.3836. PMID: 20355066. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20355066/)
4. Phomkaivon N, Pongponpai P, Kosawatpat P, Thongdang B, Pan-Utai W. Extraction, Characterisation and Evaluation of Antioxidant and Probiotic Growth Potential of Water-Soluble Polysaccharides from Ulva rigida Macroalgae. Foods. 2024 May 23;13(11):1630. doi: 10.3390/foods13111630. PMID: 38890859; PMCID: PMC11171798. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38890859/)
5. Mezghani S, Bourguiba I, Hfaiedh I, Amri M. Antioxidant potential of Ulva rigida extracts: protection of HeLa cells against H₂O₂ cytotoxicity. Biol Bull. 2013 Sep;225(1):1-7. doi: 10.1086/BBLv225n1p1. PMID: 24088791. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24088791/)
6. Ismail A, Ktari L, Ben Redjem Romdhane Y, Aoun B, Sadok S, Boudabous A, El Bour M. Antimicrobial Fatty Acids from Green Alga Ulva rigida (Chlorophyta). Biomed Res Int. 2018 Nov 13;2018:3069595. doi: 10.1155/2018/3069595. PMID: 30539008; PMCID: PMC6260554. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30539008/)
7. Fournière M, Bedoux G, Lebonvallet N, Leschiera R, Le Goff-Pain C, Bourgougnon N, Latire T. Poly- and Oligosaccharide Ulva sp. Fractions from Enzyme-Assisted Extraction Modulate the Metabolism of Extracellular Matrix in Human Skin Fibroblasts: Potential in Anti-Aging Dermo-Cosmetic Applications. Mar Drugs. 2021 Mar 17;19(3):156. doi: 10.3390/md19030156. PMID: 33802739; PMCID: PMC8002389. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33802739/)