SEAGRASS-BIOPROD: Unlocking Bioactive Potential of Stress-Tolerant Seagrasses for Sustainable Blue Products

Background & Rationale: Seagrasses are an untapped reservoir of bioactive compounds. Species thriving under extreme conditions—high temperatures, salinity fluctuations, UV exposure—produce unique secondary metabolites including antioxidants, UV-protectants, antimicrobials, and anti-inflammatory agents. Halophila stipulacea, native to the Red Sea and now invasive in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, survives temperatures up to 35°C and exhibits exceptional stress tolerance mediated by heat-shock proteins, osmolytes, and phenolic compounds. Additionally, seasonal macroalgal blooms that accumulate on seagrass meadows represent abundant, currently wasted biomass with biorefinery potential. SEAGRASS-BIOPROD will systematically explore these resources for sustainable blue bioeconomy applications.

Objectives: SEAGRASS-BIOPROD will: (1) characterize the biochemical profiles of stress-tolerant seagrass species across environmental gradients; (2) identify and isolate bioactive compounds with cosmetic, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical potential; (3) develop sustainable harvesting protocols that do not compromise ecosystem function; (4) scale up extraction and formulation processes with industry partners; and (5) conduct life-cycle assessment to ensure environmental sustainability.

Approach: We will collect seagrass tissue and bloom-forming macroalgae from extreme environments (Red Sea, Eastern Mediterranean hypersaline lagoons) and temperate reference sites. Metabolomic profiling will identify candidate compounds, followed by bioactivity screening (antioxidant, UV-protection, antimicrobial, anti-aging). Promising compounds will be scaled using green chemistry extraction methods. Industry partners will lead formulation development for cosmetics (anti-aging creams, sun protection) and nutraceuticals (antioxidant supplements). Invasive H. stipulacea biomass from Mediterranean removal efforts will be valorized, creating economic incentives for invasive species management.

Expected Outcomes:

• Bioactive compound library from 8+ seagrass and macroalgal species

• 3–5 lead compounds advanced to formulation stage

• Prototype cosmetic and nutraceutical products

• Sustainable harvesting guidelines

• Business cases for seagrass/algae-based bioproducts

• Patents for novel applications

Partners Sought:

• Marine natural products chemists

• Biotechnology/bioprocessing SMEs

• Cosmetics and nutraceutical industry partners

• Green chemistry specialists

• Life-cycle assessment experts

• Invasive species management programs

Countries: Israel, Greece, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Germany (6 countries)