Population growth, climate change, and resource constraints are driving increased demand for sustainable food sources in California, which highlights the importance of developing local seaweed aquaculture. Seaweed aquaculture presents significant opportunities to support California’s blue economy and environmental goals, particularly in the Southern California region. This project establishes a framework for cultivating seaweed species with culinary applications, beginning with Develaria mollis (Pacific dulse) and Ulva spp. (sea lettuce), and aims to expand to six species that will include each of the major algal phyla.
Optimized growth trials and post-harvest treatments demonstrate the effectiveness of aerated storage in maintaining quality. For example, aerated D. mollis and Ulva spp. samples stored at 36°F retained quality for up to 11 days, preserving their high nutritional value and culinary appeal. Nutritional analysis (Table 1) highlights Ulva spp. as rich in potassium, magnesium, protein, and fiber, surpassing levels found in US established standards of leafy greens, thus enhancing its market viability. Heavy metal testing confirms that both species meet global safety standards with values well within limits set by the EU and Asian regulatory bodies. Color stability is a crucial quality parameter for consumer appeal. The CIE Lab* color model was applied to assess color changes in D. mollis over time, under various treatments and temperatures (Figure 1).
Results indicate significant differences in lightness (L*), red-green (a*), and blue-yellow (b*) axes across storage conditions, demonstrating the impact of temperature and treatment on color retention. Notably, samples stored at higher temperatures (6.1°C) showed lighter colors, while the Cleanworks treatment altered color balance along the a* and b* axes. These results emphasize the need for temperature-controlled storage to maintain visual quality and consumer appeal. Ultimately, this work aims to reduce reliance on imported food products and provides a scalable model for expanding sustainable seaweed aquaculture throughout California.