Surreal illustration of seaweed extract being poured onto a lush garden.

Seaweed Secrets: How pH-Balanced Extracts Can Supercharge Your Garden

Rhea Morgan in Science & Nature August 2025 • 3 min read.

"Unlock the potential of seaweed extracts for thriving plants with the right pH balance."

For centuries, gardeners have sought natural ways to enhance plant growth and yields. Among the most promising solutions lies in the power of algae, specifically seaweed extracts. These extracts, rich in organic and inorganic compounds, have become increasingly popular in agriculture, offering a sustainable alternative to synthetic fertilizers.

Algae, from microscopic forms to towering kelp forests, are packed with nutrients, phytohormones, and polysaccharides that can significantly benefit plant health. Extracts derived from green, red, and brown algae are particularly prized for their biostimulant properties, promoting everything from root development to stress resistance.

But what if the secret to unlocking even greater potential from seaweed extracts lies in something as simple as pH balance? Recent research has explored the influence of pH levels during the extraction process, revealing how acidity or alkalinity can affect the composition and efficacy of these natural elixirs.

The pH Factor: How Acidity and Alkalinity Shape Seaweed Extracts

Surreal illustration of seaweed extract being poured onto a lush garden.

The study, published in BioMed Research International, delves into the impact of pH on the creation and properties of seaweed extracts. Researchers experimented with Baltic seaweeds, manipulating the pH of water used to extract beneficial compounds. They created extracts under acidic (pH 3), neutral (pH 7), and alkaline (pH 10) conditions to analyze how these variations influenced the final product.

Two primary extraction methods were employed:

Method 1: Adjusting the pH of deionized water before adding it to the algal biomass.
Method 2: Adjusting the pH of the mixture of algae and deionized water.

The resulting extracts underwent rigorous testing, focusing on polyphenol concentrations, micro- and macroelement composition, and their impact on the germination and growth of Lepidium sativum (garden cress), a model plant often used in phytotoxicity studies.

The Future is Green: Sustainable Solutions for Plant Cultivation

The study underscores the importance of optimizing extraction methods to harness the full potential of seaweed extracts. By carefully controlling pH levels, it's possible to tailor extracts with specific properties, maximizing their biostimulant effects and improving nutrient uptake in plants. Further research and development in this area promise to unlock even more sustainable and effective solutions for plant cultivation, paving the way for a greener future.

About this Article -

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1155/2017/7248634, Alternate LINK

Title: The Influence Of Ph Of Extracting Water On The Composition Of Seaweed Extracts And Their Beneficial Properties OnLepidium Sativum

Subject: General Immunology and Microbiology

Journal: BioMed Research International

Publisher: Hindawi Limited

Authors: Katarzyna Godlewska, Izabela Michalak, Łukasz Tuhy, Katarzyna Chojnacka

Published: 2017-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly are seaweed extracts and why are they beneficial for plants?

Seaweed extracts are derived from various types of algae, including green, red, and brown algae. They're valued for their biostimulant properties. These extracts contain organic and inorganic compounds like nutrients, phytohormones, and polysaccharides. These components can promote root development, enhance stress resistance, and generally improve plant health, offering a natural alternative to synthetic fertilizers.

How does pH balance play a role in the effectiveness of seaweed extracts?

pH balance affects the composition and efficacy of seaweed extracts. Research indicates that the acidity or alkalinity during the extraction process can influence the properties of the resulting extract. For example, different pH levels can impact the concentration of polyphenols and the micro- and macroelement composition, ultimately affecting how well the extract supports plant growth and nutrient uptake.

What were the methods used to manipulate pH levels during seaweed extraction?

The study employed two primary methods to create seaweed extracts. Method 1 involved adjusting the pH of deionized water before mixing it with the algal biomass. Method 2 entailed adjusting the pH of the mixture of algae and deionized water directly. The pH levels were set to acidic (pH 3), neutral (pH 7), and alkaline (pH 10) conditions to observe the effects of these variations on the final extract.

What is garden cress, and why was it used in the pH study?

The researchers used *Lepidium sativum*, commonly known as garden cress, as a model plant. This plant is frequently used in phytotoxicity studies, which assess the potential toxic effects of substances on plant growth. By observing how garden cress responds to seaweed extracts produced under different pH conditions, researchers can evaluate the biostimulant properties and overall impact of these extracts on plant health.

Why is it important to optimize the pH during the extraction of seaweed?

Optimizing the pH during the extraction of seaweed is important because it allows for the creation of tailored extracts with specific properties. By carefully controlling pH levels, it’s possible to maximize the biostimulant effects and improve nutrient uptake in plants. This means you can fine-tune the extract to better suit the needs of specific plants or growing conditions, leading to more sustainable and effective plant cultivation.