Ingredients with anti-oxidant properties are in high demand in both the personal care and nutritional markets to assist with product preservation and to bring functional health qualities to consumers.  

Antioxidants protect against cell damage through both direct and indirect quenching of free radicals. Investigations have shown that direct antioxidant activity, as measured in the laboratory, is not necessarily a good indicator of the protective effects actually observed by consumers

Aquapharm's Oceanx business has identified a new generation of antioxidant ingredients derived from marine extracts that can achieve potent effects at extremely low concentrations. This suggests that they may boost consumers' own antioxidant systems in a manner akin to a vaccination. Many of Aquapharm's marine micro-organisms are prolific producers of such anti-oxidant compounds which are believed to be part of a sophisticated defence mechanism that they have evolved to fend off biological and environmental attack.

Aquapharm is evaluating a number of these novel candidates for incorporation into consumer products with improved health benefits.