Turkmen Scientists Create Innovative Biomaterial from Caspian Sea Algae

Scientists at the Biotechnology Laboratory of the International Science and Technology Park under the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan have developed a new technology for producing biomaterial from algae found in the Caspian Sea. The result is an alginate-based composition combining brown and blue-green algae, according to official Turkmen media reports on Monday.

Alginates derived from brown algae are widely used in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries due to their natural properties and biocompatibility. The new development includes components of blue-green algae, enriching the material with additional bioactive compounds.

According to Dr. Altyn Rakhmanova, head of the laboratory, the new composition features enhanced properties: alginate provides a biodegradable base, while blue-green algae add antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as oxygen-releasing capabilities. These qualities make the biomaterial suitable for biomedical applications, particularly in wound healing and tissue engineering.

The biomaterial also has potential uses in the food and cosmetics sectors. The research is part of Turkmenistan’s State Program for the Comprehensive Development of Biotechnology (2024–2028), which aims to create innovative products based on the country’s natural resources.

Alginates are natural substances derived from brown seaweed. They absorb water and form a gel, which makes them useful in medicine for wound healing, in cosmetics for skin hydration, and in food production as thickeners.