Chondrus crispus

Chondrus crispus, commonly known as Irish moss, is a species of red macroalgae (Rhodophyta) found along the rocky Atlantic coasts. It is a primary source of carrageenan, a sulfated polysaccharide widely utilized in the food and pharmaceutical industries as a gelling agent, thickener, and stabilizer. Beyond its industrial applications, Chondrus crispus is investigated for its nutritional and therapeutic potential, including prebiotic effects on human gut microbiota, antioxidant and antibacterial activities, and its role in promoting satiety and managing food intake. In veterinary science, it has been studied for its ability to reduce enteric methane emissions in ruminants. The seaweed also serves as a source for bioactive compounds such as antimicrobial peptides and novel enzymes like flavonoid sulfotransferases.

Other names

Irish mossCarrageen mossred seaweedred macroalgae