The global seaweed industry is rapidly growing, driven by high economic returns, especially in the food industry. However, not much has been said about waste seaweed as a result of seaweed production from cultivated farms.
Waste valorization is the process of reusing, recycling, or composting waste materials and converting them into more useful products. The valorization of marine biomass is an underused biological treasure. The development of high-value-added products from marine waste has received worldwide attention due to the discovery of various natural biomolecules, nutrients, and functional compounds with potential applications in different industries.
The "Rumpai Laut" project was showcased during Universiti Brunei Darussalam's (UBD) Pesta Konvo 2024 by a team led by Dr Faizah Haji Metali, Senior Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Science (FOS), UBD. The other members of the research team include students: Yumni Haziqah Mohammad, Anis Nadiah Abdillah, Norafifah Syakirah Muhammad Sofian and Fatih Faizul Arsyad Abdul Qadir Zailani.
"Rumpai Laut" converts the waste seaweed into liquid organic fertiliser via fermentation, which can be applied to farmlands and hydroponic and aquaponic farming in Brunei, thus reducing dependence on chemical fertilisers and minimising the risks to health and the environment. Residue left from post-fermentation can also be used as seaweed fertilisers for crops on land. Efficiently utilising waste seaweed and their rapid life cycle can ensure the sustainability of this marine resource.
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