Seaweed may halt swine flu spread

[tetano]

Tasmanian scientists have discovered a compound occuring naturally in seaweed which could be the key to beating swine flu.

The compound is found in seaweed off Tasmania's east coast and is considered a natural defence against marine viruses and toxins.

Scientists at a private laboratory near Hobart have tested the compound against several viruses and say it profoundly inhibits the H1N1 virus.

Dr Helen Fitton says viruses use receptors to get into cells, but this process is stopped in the presence of the seaweed compound.

"The virus is unable to use its receptor to get into the cell," she said.

Marinova Laboratories CEO Paul Garrott says he is anticipating immediate commercial interest and expects the compound will be used in nasal sprays, hand washes and tablets.

"This whole class of fucoidan compounds have been shown to have very profound antiviral activities against a range of influenza strains, against a range of other viruses and coated viruses - we mentioned HIV, we mentioned the herpes simplex virus."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/05/05/2891051.htm

 

[tropical]

Re: Seaweed may halt swine flu spread

http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/inter/nsf/WebPages/LVAE-4ZP99F?open

Seaweed fishery (2009)

"The main components of this fishery are the collection of cast bull kelp and harvesting of the introduced seaweed, Undaria. In addition, there are several minor components, including a single operation harvesting red and brown seaweeds and several small operations collecting cast seaweed from specific beaches around the State.
...
The end product of dried bull kelp is the extraction of alginates, which are used in thickening solutions in a wide variety of products, including sauces, syrups, creams, lotions and ice cream. The cast bull kelp industry on King Island supplies about 5% of the world production of alginates.

Kelp harvesting also occurs on the West Coast of Tasmania where there are two centres of operation: around Bluff Hill Point and at Granville Harbour. The cast bull kelp is used in commercial gardens and pastures and on private gardens."
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http://www.geog.utas.edu.au/kelpwatch/h_seatas.html

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Seaweed Harvesting In Tasmania[/FONT] (2004)

"There is currently no direct harvesting of native seaweeds in Tasmania due to their ecological importance to marine ecosystems and fisheries resources. Harvesting of seaweed in Tasmania is presently confined to 3 activities:

1. The collection of beach cast Bull Kelp (Durvilleae potatorum) on King Island and the northern west coast;
2. Harvesting of the introduced Japanese Sea Kelp (Undaria pinnatifida) on the east coast;
3. And the localised collection of beach cast seaweeds and seagrasses"

 

[kiwibird]

Re: Seaweed may halt swine flu spread

A different way of using seaweed
Doctors say seaweed can be effective at beating swine flu as Tamiflu
Jan 2 2011 Raymond Hainey, Sunday Mail
SCIENTISTS believe they may have tracked down a vital weapon against killer swine flu - seaweed.
Research has shown that an extract of red seaweed - widely found around Scotland's coast - could be as effective at blocking the deadly H1N1 virus as current drug Tamiflu.
...
Researchers at Vienna University found that seaweed extract carrageenan helped create a barrier inside the nose and blocked cold and flu viruses, including swine flu.
Dr Grassauer said: "This confirms that carrageenan can be used as an alternative and should be further tested for prevention and treatment of influenza in clinical trials in humans."
....

"But if you can snort something up your nose that stops the virus getting into the body, that is very effective."
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/2...-beating-swine-flu-as-tamiflu-86908-22821760/