NUS Food Scientists Pioneer Healthier, Tastier Kombu Seaweed Through Innovative Fermentation

In a groundbreaking advancement from the National University of Singapore (NUS), food scientists have revolutionized kombu seaweed, turning it into a more nutritious and appealing superfood. Led by Associate Professor Liu Shao Quan from the Department of Food Science and Technology in the NUS Faculty of Science, the team developed a novel co-fermentation process that unlocks trapped nutrients while infusing delightful banana and pear aromas. This NUS kombu innovation addresses longstanding barriers to wider consumption of this nutrient-dense brown seaweed, positioning it as a key player in functional foods.

Kombu, scientifically known as Saccharina japonica, has been a staple in East Asian cuisines, particularly for making dashi stock. However, its rigid cell walls trap valuable minerals and compounds, limiting bioaccessibility, while fishy and grassy odors deter broader appeal. The NUS team's method combines enzymatic hydrolysis with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and yeast co-fermentation, significantly enhancing both nutrition and flavor profiles.

What is Kombu Seaweed and Why Does It Matter?

Kombu is a type of brown kelp seaweed extensively cultivated in cold ocean waters around Japan, Korea, and China. Rich in iodine, fucoidan, alginate, proteins, and minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and manganese, it offers potential health benefits including thyroid support, antioxidant effects, and gut health promotion. Yet, traditional preparation methods fail to fully release these nutrients due to the seaweed's tough structure.

In Singapore, where food security is a national priority amid limited land resources, seaweed research aligns with initiatives like the 30 by 30 goal to produce 30% of nutritional needs locally by 2030. NUS's work exemplifies how university-led innovations can contribute to sustainable food systems, reducing reliance on imports while promoting ocean-based agriculture.

Overcoming Traditional Limitations of Kombu

Despite its promise, kombu faces two major hurdles: poor nutrient bioavailability and unappealing sensory attributes. Nutrients remain encased in indigestible cell walls and dense polysaccharide networks, with studies showing low absorption rates in raw or simply cooked forms. Sensory issues, including lipid-derived off-flavors like 1-octen-3-one and grassy notes from (E,Z)-2,6-nonadienal, limit its use beyond niche markets.

Prior approaches, such as enzymatic hydrolysis or LAB fermentation alone, improved nutrition but fell short on flavor. NUS researchers built on this by introducing a synergistic co-fermentation strategy, achieving superior results.NUS official announcement

The Step-by-Step NUS Co-Fermentation Process

The NUS kombu innovation involves a precise, multi-stage process designed for scalability:

• Enzymatic Hydrolysis: Kombu is treated with food-grade enzymes to degrade large proteins and carbohydrates into smaller, digestible peptides and oligosaccharides, breaking open cell walls and releasing minerals.
• LAB Inoculation: Probiotic strains like Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v or Lacticaseibacillus paracasei Shirota are added to ferment the slurry, producing lactic acid and initiating probiotic growth.
• Yeast Co-Fermentation: Aroma-producing Pichia kluyveri FrootZen yeast is introduced, fostering symbiotic interactions that boost probiotic viability to 7.36-7.48 log CFU/mL after 7 days—far higher than LAB monocultures at 6.10-6.40 log CFU/mL.
• Maturation: The mixture develops over time, with optimal conditions yielding GABA and fruity esters.

This method not only enhances efficiency but also paves the way for industrial production of fermented kombu products.

Nutritional Upgrades: Minerals, Probiotics, and Beyond

The co-fermentation dramatically improves bioaccessibility. Minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and manganese become more available as cell barriers dissolve. Probiotic counts surge, supporting gut microbiota, while the L. plantarum-P. kluyveri pairing uniquely produces gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter aiding stress reduction and sleep.

Such enhancements position fermented kombu as a versatile superfood ingredient.Peer-reviewed study

Photo by Robynne O on Unsplash

Flavor Transformation: Banana and Pear Notes Emerge

Sensory hurdles vanish as off-flavors plummet—key volatiles like (E,E)-2,4-decadienal drop by up to 41.5%. In their place, desirable esters flourish: isoamyl acetate (banana-like, odor activity value OAV ≥52.9), hexyl acetate (pear-like, OAV ≥36.9), and 2-phenylethyl acetate (floral, OAV ≥2.1). Assoc Prof Liu notes, “The combination with yeast fermentation further produces fruity aroma compounds, improving the flavour profile.”

This shift makes kombu palatable for global consumers, expanding beyond traditional dashi.

Health Implications: From Gut to Mind Wellness

Beyond basics, the NUS innovation yields probiotics for microbiome balance and GABA for mental health—reducing anxiety and enhancing relaxation. Dr Lu Yuyun highlights applications in “probiotic seaweed-based supplements,” aligning with rising demand for natural stress aids. In Singapore's high-pressure society, such products could offer culturally resonant wellness solutions.

• Gut health via viable probiotics.
• Mental calm from elevated GABA.
• Mineral boost for immunity and bone health.

Commercial Potential: New Products on the Horizon

Ms Geng Chenhan envisions “fermented seaweed drinks” and plant-based ingredients. With Singapore's food tech ecosystem, including SFA's $40.5M aquaculture funding, this could spawn startups. Adaptable to other seaweeds, it supports sustainable harvesting over aquaculture strains.Industry analysis

Explore research jobs advancing such innovations at NUS.

NUS Department of Food Science and Technology: Fostering Excellence

Home to Assoc Prof Liu's Flavour & Fermentation group, alongside Dr Lu and Dr Yeo Hui Qi, the department trains next-gen scientists through BSc, MSc, and PhD programs. Cutting-edge labs enable hands-on research, preparing graduates for Singapore's agri-food sector. NUS ranks globally top-10 in food science, attracting talents via scholarships.

Students contribute to real-world projects, building portfolios for careers in R&D.

Singapore's Broader Seaweed and Food Security Landscape

Singapore invests heavily in alternative proteins and ocean resources, with NUS partnering SFA on seed innovation. Seaweed farming pilots address the 90% import dependency, promoting blue economy sustainability. This kombu breakthrough complements NTU and SIT efforts in algae tech.

Check Singapore higher ed opportunities in sustainable food.

Photo by Grab on Unsplash

Future Outlook: Scaling and Consumer Insights

Next steps include optimizing parameters like temperature and sequence, plus sensory panels for preferences. Commercial trials could launch products by 2027, with global export potential. NUS aims to extend to wakame or nori, amplifying impact.

Careers in Food Science: Join NUS and Singapore's Innovation Wave

The NUS kombu innovation underscores booming demand for food scientists. Roles in fermentation, biotech, and sustainability abound. Aspiring professionals can pursue faculty positions, research assistant jobs, or industry via career advice. Rate professors like Assoc Prof Liu on Rate My Professor and browse higher ed jobs in Singapore.

This field offers rewarding paths blending science, health, and sustainability.