Beta-Glucan and Fucoidan Market

Market Overview

The global beta-glucan market was valued at USD 560 million in 2022. It is anticipated to reach an expected value of USD 1110 lion by 2031, registering a CAGR of 7.9% during the forecast period (2022-2031).

The global fucoidan market for human nutrition was valued at USD 70 million in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 190 million by 2031, registering a CAGR of 11.8% during the forecast period (2022-2031). 

In addition to bacteria, yeast, fungi, algae, and plants like oats and barley, beta-glucans are sugar molecules. As a source of soluble fiber, they may help with digestion-related problems, lower high cholesterol, and improve skin conditions like eczema, bedsores, wounds, and radiation therapy burns. A complicated molecule with numerous health advantages is fucoidan. The effectiveness of fucoidan varies depending on the species it is extracted from, which makes it different from other ingredients that can strengthen the immune system. The best fucoidan comes from the brown algae Mozuku (Cladosiphon okamuranus) and Wakame-Mekabu (Undaria pinnatifida). The demand for these therapeutic ingredients is strongly driven by elevated demand for immunity ingredients across the food and beverages and dietary supplement industry. 

Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

Growing Efforts To Improve Extraction And Cultivation Of Microalgae 

The nutritional food and supplement market is witnessing increased demand for the algae-derived beta-glucan and fucoidans. The algae-derived beta-glucan is simple and available at a lower price than the other beta-glucans, such as beta-glucan derived from yeast. Moreover, fucoidan is mainly found on the cell wall matrix of several species of brown seaweed. Microalgae are currently being explored immensely for their ability to produce beta-glucan and fucoidan extracts. This factor is boosting the market's growth. The microalgae ingredient providers are continuously focusing on meeting the needs of consumers in the beta-glucan market by enhancing their production capabilities.

For instance, in August 2019, Algatech Ltd announced that the company got the license and the rights to produce Beta-1 and Beta-3 glucans from the microalgae Euglena Gracilis from the US biotechnology company F3 Platform Biologics. Furthermore, improving the extraction techniques for microalgae cultivation will allow manufacturers to use beta-glucan microalgae effectively in the food, dietary supplements, and healthcare industries, among others. In this regard, numerous efforts are being carried out by several organizations. These factors mentioned above are expected to contribute to the market's overall growth soon.

Rising Number of Cases of Cardiovascular Diseases and Cancer Globally

As per WHO, Cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of human death across the globe. An estimated 17 million people die from cardiovascular illnesses each year, accounting for one-third of all fatalities; more than one-third of these deaths affect middle-aged adults. Heart ailments and stroke are the first and second leading causes of death for adults in developed nations.

The demand for dietary supplements and nutraceuticals, which improve cardiovascular health and inhibit cancer cells, has increased to facilitate prevention before an urgent cure arises. Notably, it has been demonstrated that beta-glucans and fucoidans can be consumed safely and successfully to treat both diseases. Fucoidans and beta-glucans help mobilize immune cells and start a defense response. This triggered response aids the body in orchestrating a coordinated attack on cancer cells in cases of cancer. It also aids in slowing the expansion of cancerous cells. Such elements all contribute to market expansion.

Market Restraint

Tough Cost Absorption by Some End-User Industries

The beta-glucan and fucoidan industry is witnessing moderate growth. However, a few hurdles might restrain growth in the near future. For most of the manufacturers in the food and beverages industry, the prices of beta-glucans and fucoidans are high. The low-priced beta-glucans (with lesser efficiency and bioavailability) is currently invading the market. This factor is creating massive demand for beta-glucans with higher efficiency. However, the price of these glucans is one factor restraining the market's growth. The same is the case with fucoidans, which are relatively expensive compared to beta-glucans, as they are potentially difficult to obtain and are extracted in small volumes. According to a study published by Bakery and Snacks, an online news source, consumers are reluctant to pay more in the breakfast cereals and snack bar industry. This factor compels manufacturers to develop products with the ingredients that consumers are interested in and are willing to pay for.

Moreover, the gap in research and development and the actual product development process hamper the market's growth. According to researchers, beta-glucans and fucoidans with high purity are the ideal choices for cereal makers and nutraceutical firms, as they can use a lesser amount for bigger nutritional pouches. In addition, the prices of oats and natural seaweeds are rising. This factor hampers the growth of the global beta-glucan and fucoidan market.

Market Opportunities

Increasing Potential in Sports Performance and Sports Nutrition

Sports nutrition products have increasingly gained popularity, mainly among athletes and individuals involved in vigorous physical activities. The growing emphasis on staying healthy and in shape, and increasing participation in sports, health clubs, sports clubs, and gyms are some of the key drivers contributing to the growth of the global sports nutrition industry. Moreover, people indulging in sports are also looking for improved and efficient ingredients which can be included in sports nutrition products. Owing to this factor, the inclusion of bioactive ingredients in sports nutrition products continues to increase in markets such as the United States and Europe. The demand is further boosted by increasing urbanization and affordability in emerging markets, such as South America and Asia-Pacific. As per a research study conducted by Australian researchers from the University of Queensland in August 2020, there is potential for fucoidan seaweed extract to improve the gut health and immune system of high-performance athletes. These results also demonstrate that fucoidan has the potential to restore beneficial anti-microbial activity. Dietary supplementation, with fucoidan from seaweed, may also delay fatigue during exercise and boost overall endurance, as per a study conducted by the National Taiwan Sports University. This is creating a vast opportunity in the market studied.

Regional Analysis

By region, the global beta-glucan and fucoidan market is segmented into North America, the Rest of the World, Europe, and Asia Pacific

Europe dominated the market and is anticipated to register a CAGR of 7.7% during the forecast period. The leading cause of death in Germany is cardiovascular disease, which accounts for 40% of all fatalities, followed by cancer, which accounts for 25% of all fatalities. This factor is influencing how beta-glucan is used in the dietary supplement market, which has further influenced how beta-glucan and fucoidan are used in the dietary supplement market in Germany. The test conducted by Ophthalmologists from Kiel in Germany in September 2020 tested the fucoidan structures against the incurable eye disease AMD (Age-related Macular Degeneration) in ocular cells, and their tests have shown that fucoidan is effective in preventing AMD-promoting mechanisms in ocular cells. Therefore, advanced medical research and development from Germany is further expected to increase the functionality of fucoidan for a simple, gentle, and inexpensive method for AMD and other disease prevention and treatment around the world during the forecast period.

Asia Pacific is the second largest region. It is anticipated to reach an expected value of USD 415 million by 2031, registering a CAGR of 8.7%. The Chinese beta-glucan and fucoidan market was valued at USD 57.51 million in 2019, and it is expected to reach USD 92.69 million by 2025, registering a CAGR of 8.31% during the forecast period. The infant formula market in China has witnessed significant growth over the past couple of years because of the increasing demand and growing unit prices. After the two-child policy was officially executed in October 2015, the new-born population increased, strengthening the need for infant formula and immunity-boosting ingredients in various forms of food, beverages, and nutraceutical product from 2017, which has been driving the beta-glucan and fucoidan market.

North America is the third largest region. Because beta-glucan, fucoidan, probiotics, and DHA are linked to a lower incidence of respiratory illnesses and allergic manifestations, there is a marked increase in demand for nutrient-dense foods and beverages in the United States. Key competitors from other regions are enticed to invest in the US market by the growing demand for beta-glucan from various applications. Due to Millennials' preference for natural ingredients and rising demand for clean-label food products, the beta and algae glucan segment is anticipated to experience significant demand from consumers aged 19 to 55. Fucoidan has been scientifically proven to be an ingredient in various food products, including baked goods, soups, snack foods, imitation dairy products, seasonings, and flavorings, at doses up to 30 milligrams (mg) per serving. Therefore, its use in food and beverage items is anticipated to grow in the US throughout the projected period.

Segmental Analysis

The global beta-glucan and fucoidan market is segmented by category, functionality, end user, and region.

By category, the global beta-glucan and fucoidan market is segmented into beta-glucan and fucoidan.

The beta-glucan segment dominated the market and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 7.9% during the forecast period. Beta-glucans are biologically active fibers derived from the cell wall of various natural sources, including yeast, mushroom, oats, barley, and others, with proven health and medical significance benefits. The beta-glucans are allowed in several countries, including the United States of America, Canada, Finland, Sweden, China, Japan, and Korea, as potent immunological activators. The human body does not synthesize beta-glucans. Hence, these are recognized by the immune system, which induces both adaptive and innate immune responses. Currently, the available beta glucan derivatives and extracts are sold to provide health benefits, such as the wellness of the cardiac system, immune system, digestive system, gut health properties, and others. Moreover, several new research activities are being conducted to determine the positive health benefits of beta-glucan in managing numerous health problems and diseases. Therefore, the potential benefits beta-glucan provides for human health represents immense scope regarding the market's growth.

By functionality, the global beta-glucan and fucoidan market is segmented into cardiovascular health, immunity boosters, anti-cancer, and others. The immunity booster segment dominated the market and is estimated to register a CAGR of 7.8% during the forecast period. Beta-Glucans increase the body's host immune defense by activating complementary systems and enhancing cells' natural killer functions. In short, they trigger a cascade of events that help regulate the immune system, making it more efficient. The healing and immunostimulant properties of mushrooms have been known for thousands of years in Eastern countries. These mushrooms contain biologically active polysaccharides that mainly belong to the group of beta-glucans. These substances increase host immune defense by activating the complement system, enhancing macrophages and natural killer cell function. Beta-glucan can also inhibit tumor growth in the promotion stage as an immunostimulant agent, which acts through the activation of macrophages and NK cell cytotoxicity. Anti-angiogenesis can be one of the pathways through which beta-glucans can reduce tumor proliferation and prevent tumor metastasis. Moreover, fucoidans also enhance immune function and stimulate innate and adaptive immunity as they increase our first line of defense and delay more specific memory-driven immune responses. All such factors drive segment growth.

By end user, the global beta-glucan and fucoidan market is segmented into food & beverages, nutraceutical supplements, and others (feed, personal care, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, etc.).

The nutraceutical supplements segment dominated the market and is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 8.6% during the forecast period. Due to the high-end functional and therapeutic benefits of beta-glucan and fucoidan, dietary nutraceutical supplements have created potential demand for these ingredients. Consumers who lead active, healthy lifestyles choose dietary supplements to speed up their metabolism and increase vitality and physical endurance. Due to this demand, supplement companies are now using beta-glucan to develop products that enhance consumers' general health. Due to increased consumer demand for dietary supplements, including sports nutrition products, and widespread awareness of their benefits, ingredient manufacturers are concentrating on providing consumers with compounds that can improve their health. For example, Algalif Iceland EHF.'s Nutramunity Beta-Glucan is a flexible ingredient for nutraceutical products that support healthy immune function. Seaweeds are common in coastal areas, and studies have shown the health benefits of fucoidan (seaweed polysaccharides) due to their structural makeup, biological activities, and potential use as nutraceuticals. The bioactive properties of fucoidans currently attract research institutions and private companies to undertake comprehensive investigations for potential applications of fucoidan molecules in the nutraceutical ingredients industry.

Recent Developments

• October 2022 - the top taste and nutrition companies in the world, Kerry Group, and the Irish charity Concern Worldwide, launched a four-year agreement to help 46,000 people in Kenya live better lives by giving them access to climate-smart agriculture methods.
• September 2022 - In recognition of the UN International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste Reduction, Kerry's Food Waste Estimator was launched today. It enables consumers and manufacturers to quantify and comprehend the economic and environmental effects of reducing food waste in the food supply chain or at home.