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What Is Marine Phytoplankton?
Marine phytoplankton are single-celled photosynthetic organisms found in the upper layers of the ocean where sunlight penetrates. Like land plants, they contain chlorophyll and need sunlight to survive. They require inorganic nutrients such as nitrates, phosphates, and sulfur to produce proteins, fats, and carbohydrates through photosynthesis.
Appearing 3.5 billion years ago, phytoplankton played a vital role in shaping the Earth's atmosphere and the formation of marine sedimentary rocks. It is also considered the ancestor of terrestrial plants.
Phytoplankton contributes to cloud formation and is often called "the second lung of our planet." The oxygen reservoir in our atmosphere has been forming for billions of years through photosynthesis and geochemical phenomena, and most of this production comes from the oceans.
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Why Phytoplankton Contains More Nutrients Than Land Plants
Marine phytoplankton has been called the most nutritionally dense food on the planet. It is rich in trace minerals, antioxidants, carotenoids, essential amino acids, beta-carotene, chlorophyll, DHA, EPA, macronutrients, proteins, and fatty acids including omega-3 and omega-6, with a concentration of vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, C, and E.
According to Dr. Mark R. Edwards, a biologist and author of Smartcultures: Nature's Tiniest Genius, Algae Reverses Environmental Pollution, and Regenerates Degraded Ecosystems, microalgae store higher levels of nutrients than land plants.
Land plants absorb nutrients through their roots, which can be limited by worn soil lacking essential nutrients. In contrast, aquatic plants lack roots and use their entire surface to absorb nutrients directly from mineral-rich seawater. This makes marine phytoplankton up to 300% richer in nutrients than terrestrial plants.
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Oxygen Production and Climate Impact
NASA studies have confirmed that phytoplankton is responsible for producing 50-80% of the world's atmospheric oxygen.
Phytoplankton not only plays a pivotal role in maintaining the global ecosystem but also serves as a significant economic resource for our daily lives. During cultivation, phytoplankton reproduction accelerates dramatically while actively capturing CO2 and releasing oxygen.
In natural seawater, approximately 800 phytoplankton cells exist per millilitre. Under optimal growing conditions with natural sunlight, this concentration can increase to approximately 128 million cells per millilitre at harvest.
A single cultivation batch can produce oxygen equivalent to a 7-hectare forest—demonstrating the remarkable photosynthetic efficiency of these microscopic organisms.
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Research and University Studies
Scientific investigation into marine phytoplankton has expanded in recent decades. A collaborative study from the University of Manitoba and the Institute of Research of Energetic Medicine in Colorado, USA, examined the importance of microscopic multi-species algae as support for healthy functioning cardiovascular, nervous, digestive, dermatologic, and immune systems. The research suggested this superfood may help support general health.
Additionally, the University of Manitoba supplied marine phytoplankton to patients with psoriasis (people with an excessive amount of lipids in the bloodstream). The results observed showed a decrease in the levels of lipids and cholesterol in the blood.
These findings represent areas of ongoing scientific interest. The research community continues to explore how phytoplankton's unique nutritional composition might support human and animal wellness.
MARPHYL Wild Multi-Species Advantage
MARPHYL® Marine Phytoplankton is superior to every other type of phytoplankton available in the market. MARPHYL® Marine Phytoplankton represents all the phytoplankton species available in the waters of Western Canada, while other types available in the market represent only one specific species and are often raised artificially.
Therefore our product is the only one that provides all the nutrients and benefits of up to 80 different types of marine phytoplankton.
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Plant-based
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No Animal Testing
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Soy free
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Non-GMO
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Gluten Free
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Peanut Free
Quality Control
We source MARPHYL® Marine Phytoplankton from the pristine water of Georgia Straight, an area among the most biologically productive marine ecosystems in the world. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (FOC) have implemented a weekly Marine Biotoxins monitoring program. It ensures that this area does not contain high levels of any of the harmful toxins such as PSP, ASP, DSP as well as any sewage contamination, oil contamination, or any radiation. Our quality control personnel checks this information before starting every batch of phytoplankton. Only after we are sure that the area is cleared of any marine biotoxins or pollutants, we begin the process of harvesting.
During harvesting, the phytoplankton goes through several more checks including:
- Light microscopy for any toxic species of phytoplankton that might have generated during the growing process.
- Jellett’s government-approved rapid-testing kits for ASP, DSP, PSP.
- Independent laboratory tests for safety testing, nutritional testing as well as ASP, PSP, and DSP testing.
MARPHYL® Marine Phytoplankton is approved for customer use only after it goes through all the checks mentioned above and meets Health Canada Standards.
Phytoplankton Applications
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Human and Pet Wellness
For those interested in exploring phytoplankton as a dietary addition, marine phytoplankton supplements offer a concentrated form in capsules or powder—certified with Health Canada (NPN: 80036064) to ensure strict quality control.
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Sustainable Agriculture
The same nutrient density that supports cellular health also benefits plant growth. Phytoplankton-based formulations provide trace minerals, micronutrients, and organic matter that promote soil microbial activity and plant vitality. Gardeners seeking natural alternatives to synthetic fertilizers often turn to organic liquid soil enhancers derived from marine phytoplankton.
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