Riementang

The Riementang, Himanthalia elongata is an edible marine brown algae species belonging to the most species-rich group of brown algae, the Fucales. It is described as mild and tasty. see also under Algae

Himanthalia elongata populates the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean as well as the North and Baltic Sea. The alga develops 1 to 2 m long, 0.5 to 1.0 cm wide, brown or olive-green thallus bands. These are often torn from their anchoring and often lie entwined on the beach (sea paghetti).
The brown algae are rich in fibre, minerals (potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, iron, iodine) and vitamins (vitamin C, vitamin A and vitamin E). It also contains polyphenols (Belda M et al. 2016) and xanthophyll (fucoxanthin).

From a food processing point of view, Himanthalia elongata is consumed fresh or can be processed dried.
Himanthalia elongata extract (INCI) is used in cosmetic formulations.

1. Anca JM et al (1993) Activity on the central nervous system of Himanthalia elongata. Planta Med 59:218-220.
2. Belda-Antolí M et al. (2017) Antioxidant potential of Himanthalia elongata for protection against ischemia-reperfusion injury in the small bowel. Surgery 162:577-585.
3. Belda M et al (2016) Extraction of polyphenols in Himanthalia elongata and determination by high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector prior to its potential use against oxidative stress. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 1033-1034:334-341.
4. Glombitza KW et al.(1985) Antibiotics from Algae XXXIII1: Phlorotannins of the Brown Alga Himanthalia elongata2,3. Planta Med 51:42-46.