An investigation of the bioactivity of sea kelp protein hydrolysates and their potential for metabolic disease management

Summary

There is growing interest in the value of seaweeds such as sea kelp as products with important chemical (e.g., iodine) and nutritional potential. A broad understanding exits that seaweed is ‘good for you’ but assumptions need to be backed up by more rigorous scientific evidence. Well-designed studies which demonstrate nutritional and/or health benefits of seaweeds are rare (Brown et al., 2014). Kelp cannot be definitively profiled in terms of mineral, nutritional and chemical content, as it reflects environmental conditions and the season it is harvested in. For example, protein levels in kelp have been reported to vary widely from 2.7% to 14%. Seaweeds are generally dried raw, and usually ground. Kelp that is cooked/steamed, such as Islander Kelp products harvested off the Rathlin island coast, lose some nutritional content for example iodine (Allsopp 2018). Ultimately, determining protocols for the selection of kelp by season, and then the processing method, is required to increase the nutritional value of kelp, and help identify new applications.

At Ulster University we have a strong interest in dietary factors that could help improve the management of chronic metabolic disease such as Type 2 diabetes and obesity. Protein hydrolysates from other seaweed species have shown promising profiles for managing obesity-related Type 2 diabetes (McLaughlin et al., 2020). However, to date little is known about the potential of kelp proteins for disease management. The present study will look at the mechanisms behind the health benefits of sea kelp. The proteins from two Islander kelp species will be isolated and broken down (hydrolysed) into smaller peptide components. These hydrolysates will be tested for a range of relevant anti-diabetic bioactivities and their potential in the management of obesity and Type 2 diabetes. The incorporation of kelp protein hydrolysates into new ‘functional foods’ which improve metabolic health will be investigated.

Important Information: Applications for more than one PhD studentship are welcome, however if you apply for more than one PhD project within Biomedical Sciences, your first application on the system will be deemed your first-choice preference and further applications will be ordered based on the sequential time of submission. If you are successfully shortlisted, you will be interviewed only on your first-choice application and ranked accordingly. Those ranked highest will be offered a PhD studentship. In the situation where you are ranked highly and your first-choice project is already allocated to someone who was ranked higher than you, you may be offered your 2nd or 3rd choice project depending on the availability of this project.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree
• Completion of Masters at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster
• Practice-based research experience and/or dissemination
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Publications record appropriate to career stage
• Experience of presentation of research findings

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

• Department for the Economy (DfE)
• Vice Chancellor's Research Scholarship (VCRS)

Our fully funded PhD scholarships will cover tuition fees and provide a maintenance allowance of £19,237 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).  A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of £900 per annum is also available.

These scholarships, funded via the Department for the Economy (DfE) and the Vice Chancellor’s Research Scholarships (VCRS), are open to applicants worldwide, regardless of residency or domicile.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.