Photo: SeanDavey.com

Alginates Are Extracted From Kelp

For Food

Sea kelp cell walls contain long chains of linked sugar molecules called alginates. When extracted, alginates have a variety of uses in the food industry. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, or FAO, alginate use in foods generally takes advantage of their thickening and gelling abilities. Alginates can be found in sauces, syrups, preserves, cake mixes, pie fillings, bread, ice cream and beer, just to name a few. In fact, the average American likely consumes several foods containing sea kelp derived alginates on a daily basis.

Other Industries

Alginates derived from sea kelp are also used in other industries. They are used as thickeners in producing textiles, paper, cardboard, plastics, paints and welding rods. Agar, a thick gel that is used both in food products and in laboratories as a cell culture medium, is comprised of alginates according to FAO. Sea kelp alginates have also found use as disintegrating agents, granulators and stabilizers in many pharmaceuticals. Cosmetics, soaps and shampoos contain kelp products. Kelp ash is even used in glass production. The number of industrial uses for naturally derived sea kelp and kelp products is very large and steadily increasing as more uses are found.
Taken from live strong.com

King Island Supplements is an exciting local Island business started by Kelli and Steve Lane to value add and promote the uses of Bull Kelp, which has become so much a part of our lives and work on this beautiful Island.

Definition: Kelp meal is a very high-quality organic fertilizer. With an N-P-K ratio of approximately 1-0-2, it is a good source of nitrogen and potassium. It also contains minerals, amino acids, and trace amounts of other micronutrients. Kelp meal is seaweed  and is harvested from the ocean.  Also known as sea kelp.   It can be added to vegetable and flower gardens, potting mixes, and lawns.  Apply kelp meal at a rate of one pound per 100 square feet in spring (for annual plantings) or fall (for perennials).
Eg: Add kelp meal to the soil mix and use for container plantings.

Scientifically Tested

Australian Bull Kelp extracts have been investigated and shown by scientists to contain a range of plant hormones.  They have been shown to produce increased chlorophyll levels, increased resistance to environmental stress such as drought, and enhanced root development.

AGRI-GEL (Our own garden fertilizer mix)

900 g Kelp
100 g  urea
Totals 1 kg Agri-gel

Place both Kelp and urea in a 20 litre bucket.
Add water to mix up to about 20 Litres.