Clean 'Gijang Miyeok' Now Transforms into a Healthy Enzyme

Busan Gijang-gun Launches Development of Healthy Seaweed Enzymes Using Seedlings from Seeded Seaweed Cultivation

The one on the left is ground seaweed enzyme, and the one on the right is seaweed stem enzyme.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] Research has begun on producing enzymes using ‘Gijang Miyeok,’ a specialty product of Gijang, Busan.

The Gijang-gun Seaweed Breeding Convergence Research Center announced on the 18th that it has started research on enzyme production using miyeok, a local specialty.

During the miyeok seed production research process, about 400 kg of miyeok fronds are generated annually after seed harvesting. The research center is focusing on the possibility of enzymatically processing the excellent components of miyeok using miyeok fronds, which do not lose nutrients such as dissolved nutrients after the release of zoospores, and utilizing this as supplementary nutrients during indoor growth management of miyeok seeds. This study was promoted as an eco-friendly resource recycling plan.

The research center currently uses about 2000 trays of miyeok seeds annually for indoor growth management supplementary nutrients, consuming 200 liters of PESI medium per year. They expect that enzymatically processing miyeok fronds for use as supplementary nutrients could also reduce costs.

Last year, liquid fertilizer was produced using fronds generated after harvesting in cooperation with the Gijang-gun Agricultural Technology Center, and it is currently being used as a supplementary nutrient during indoor growth management of miyeok seeds while monitoring growth conditions.

This miyeok enzyme was produced using 150 kg of miyeok (100 kg of miyeok tips and 50 kg of miyeok stems) through various methods adjusting the mixing ratio of miyeok and sugar and storage aging temperature, based on cases of seaweed enzyme production investigated through various media. The research center plans to continuously observe the fermentation state to find an efficient method.

The fermented enzyme will be used as a supplementary nutrient for miyeok growth management, and its function as a nutrient will be verified through growth monitoring. After verification such as nutritional component analysis commissioned to specialized institutions, it will be utilized for product development using seaweed.

Miyeok is rich in iron, calcium, and iodine, which help with anemia and bone health. It is also attracting attention as a diet food because it is rich in dietary fiber and alginic acid, which prevent constipation.

Additionally, it is known to be effective in preventing and improving cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, arteriosclerosis, and myocardial infarction due to its high content of fucoidan, a water-soluble dietary fiber, and potassium.

A Gijang-gun official said, “Seaweed contains many useful components, and if the optimal fermentation method is found, it is expected to be a starting point for environmental conservation through eco-friendly recycling of by-products generated during seaweed farming, as well as the development of new seaweed products.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.