THE INGREDIENT
The INGREDIENT: The History
Did you know that MARINE PHYTOPLANKTON...
…comes from the Greek word phyto, meaning “plant” (as they perform photosynthesis to grow).
…is the base and the primary source of food, life, and nutrition in the ocean.
…can survive in extreme environments thanks to the bioactive compounds it produces (such as antioxidants).
…produces 50% of the oxygen we breathe.
…has a significant impact on sustainability because it forms the base of the marine ecosystem’s food chain.
The discovery:
Veta La Palma Farm, with an area of 11,300 ha in the heart of Doñana National Park, is a true natural paradise and an outstanding example of biodiversity. More than 250 species of birds and fish find food in its abundant waters.
Beneath these waters lies a real environmental treasure: marine phytoplankton, the base of the food chain and a source of bioactive compounds present in the TetraSOD® ingredient.
- Why do flamingos travel up to 150 miles daily to feed at Veta La Palma?
- Why is the fish from the Veta La Palma aquaculture farm of excellent quality and has an extended shelf life?
After 15 years of intensive work searching for active marine ingredients, our R&D scientific team has discovered an exclusive strain with high antioxidant bioactivity, which forms the basis of TetraSOD®. This strain is of great interest to industry professionals for its potential as an innovative ingredient in dietary supplements.
What is TetraSOD®?
The most powerful ingredient against oxidative stress
TetraSOD® is an ingredient derived from marine phytoplankton, recognized for its high antioxidant bioactivity. Its natural origin and enzymatic profile make it an ingredient of interest for innovative nutritional products, supported by years of marine research.
TetraSOD® An Innovative Marine Ingredient.
TetraSOD® is obtained from the marine microalga Tetraselmis chuii, cultivated using patented technology. This strain accumulates up to 30 times more SOD activity than other marine phytoplankton strains available on the market (30,000 IU/g).
SOD is one of the key enzymes in the antioxidant pathway, and TetraSOD® is currently the most concentrated SOD source on the market. Scientific studies have shown that TetraSOD® can activate the antioxidant response pathway in human cells, highlighting its potential as an innovative ingredient for nutritional products.
Moreover, TetraSOD® is not just a source of SOD: its balanced nutritional profile includes the three antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GPx, and CAT), essential fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and pigments, making it a functional ingredient of interest for the development of health-oriented products.
Proven antioxidant capability
What is SOD?
| PARAMETER | Per 1 g |
| SOD Activity | ≥30,000 IU |
| CAA (Cellular Activity Assay) | 38.94 µmol QE |
| ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity) | 343 µmol TE |
is an essential enzyme in the regulation of cellular antioxidant balance. SOD catalyzes the dismutation of the superoxide anion into hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), which is subsequently converted into water (H₂O) and molecular oxygen (O₂) by accessory enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT).
These enzymes are found across all taxonomic groups of living organisms, from prokaryotes (archaea and bacteria) to eukaryotes, differing in the number of isoforms present. All known SODs are metalloenzymes, requiring a metallic cofactor for activity, typically iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), or manganese (Mn).
TetraSOD® currently exhibits one of the highest SOD activities identified in nature, with levels exceeding 30,000 IU/g of dry biomass, thanks to production technology developed from marine phytoplankton. Detailed genetic analysis of the microalga Tetraselmis chuii has identified three genes encoding different SOD isoforms (Mn, Cu-Zn, and Ni), whose combined action contributes to the extremely high total activity observed in TetraSOD®.
The PRODUCTION process
Legal Notice:
This product is intended exclusively for companies and professionals in the food and research sectors. It is not available or directed to the end consumer. The information provided is scientific and technical in nature, referring only to the ingredient, and does not constitute advertising or claims of health benefits under Regulation (EC) No. 1924/2006.