8/23/2016 ALGAE
WORLD NEWS National University of Singapore partners local firm to launch seaweedbased drink
ALGAE WORLD NEWS
APPLIED PHYCOLOGY, VIDEO
NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE
PARTNERS LOCAL FIRM TO LAUNCH SEAWEED-
BASED DRINK
MARCH 22, 2016 | ALGAEWORLD | LEAVE A COMMENT
[Singapore] Scientists from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have partnered local food
manufacturer Y G C Group to launch a bottled drink based on Eucheuma, a type of seaweed that is
associated with various health bene ts, they announced on Friday (Mar 18).
Scientists from NUS Faculty of Science’s Food Science and Technology Programme said eucheuma is
known to be low in calories and high in dietary bre, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals such as calcium
and potassium.
http://news.algaeworld.org/2016/03/nationaluniversitysingaporepartnerslocalfirmlaunchseaweedbaseddrink/ 1/5
8/23/2016 ALGAE WORLD NEWS National University of Singapore partners local firm to launch seaweedbased drink
The ingredients used to make the eucheuma-based bottled drink, with the seaweed featured in the foreground. (Photo: Calvin Hui)
Assistant Professor Yang Hongshun added that regular consumption of eucheuma has health bene ts
such as lowering blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar, preventing cardiovascular diseases and
colon cancer, as well as promoting anti-ageing, brain development and tissue repair.
Eucheuma was chosen as the main ingredient because it is underutilised in commercial products despite
its health properties, he explained.
Asst Prof Yang said: “We discussed the many options for developing this kind of beverages. Finally, we
targeted Eucheuma because there are a lot of bene ts from Eucheuma based on the literature report.”
The move to sell eucheuma drinks comes amid growing global interest in healthier food and beverages.
http://news.algaeworld.org/2016/03/nationaluniversitysingaporepartnerslocalfirmlaunchseaweedbaseddrink/ 2/5
8/23/2016 ALGAE WORLD NEWS National University of Singapore partners local firm to launch seaweedbased drink
According to Murdoch University’s director of Singapore Centre for Research in Innovation,
Productivity and Technology, Dr Christopher Vas, the consumption of carbonated drinks in the United
States has fallen by a quarter as people turn to healthier drinks.
However, he warned that as Eucheuma is a little-known ingredient, a lot of marketing will be required.
“The evidence is there that there is a market for it,” Dr Vas said. “Companies are also starting to see a
much wider range of products and health food products being introduced in the market.”
He added: “Products like this have a certain period of time to go through before they establish their
position in the market place. But it’s only a matter of time before we start to see emerging trends where
health food products like the one launched today will become second nature to many consumers in
future.”
The bottled drink range will be sold online by the end of March. There are also plans to sell the product
at supermarkets and in overseas markets such as China, Indonesia and Hong Kong.
NUS and Y G C Group will collaborate on further research into Eucheuma and to develop other
Eucheuma-based products such as pastries, with an investment of S$600,000 over the next four years.
Photo: The bottled drink is based on eucheuma, a type of seaweed that is associated with various health
bene ts such as being high in dietary bre and antioxidants, according to NUS scientists and food
manufacturer Y G C Group.
http://news.algaeworld.org/2016/03/nationaluniversitysingaporepartnerslocalfirmlaunchseaweedbaseddrink/ 3/5
8/23/2016 ALGAE WORLD NEWS National University of Singapore partners local firm to launch seaweedbased drink
View original article at: National University of Singapore partners local rm to launch seaweed-based
drink
Suggest reading:
http://news.algaeworld.org/2016/03/nationaluniversitysingaporepartnerslocalfirmlaunchseaweedbaseddrink/ 4/5
