Discovering the Medicinal Wonders of Golden Sea Urchins: A Scientific Breakthrough in Natural Products Chemistry

Golden sea urchins, also known as Tripneuster gratilla, have been discovered to be rich in compounds with potential medicinal properties by scientists at the Institute of Natural Products Chemistry. These sea urchins are commonly found in Vietnamese waters on rocky bottoms and coral reefs, particularly in areas such as Phu Yen, Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, and Khanh Hoa, including Truong Sa island district.

Prof. Dr. Pham Quoc Long, Chairman of the Scientific Council of the Institute of Natural Products Chemistry, stated that sea urchin eggs are an excellent source of fat, protein, and trace elements beneficial for human health. To research these extracts fully, scientists collected samples from Hon Tam island in Nha Trang to analyze the chemical components of golden sea urchin eggs and bodies.

The research team discovered over 200 molecular forms of phospholipids and seven classes of lipids in golden sea urchin eggs and bodies using advanced techniques. Sea urchin eggs were found to contain up to 12.45% protein in total fresh samples, making them a valuable source of protein. The team also tested processes to hydrolyze proteins in sea urchin eggs to create highly active and easily absorbable protein products.

Using enzymatic protein hydrolysis technology, scientists optimized the process of extracting beneficial chemical components from golden sea urchin eggs. The resulting powder contained high levels of soluble protein, amino acids, essential fatty acids, and low toxicity. Additionally, the high carotenoid content in sea urchin eggs was found to have antioxidant effects that slow down the aging process.

With its high nutritional and medicinal value, scientists hope that golden sea urchin eggs can be used to produce health-protecting foods