How the humble jellyfish is helping China to supercharge agriculture, medicine production

After years of study, determined research team solves mysteries of a rare biological compound in the marine invertebrates

Discoveries could revolutionise the production of fertiliser, medicine and even cosmetics

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Jellyfish contain a compound with excellent water solubility and strong absorption capacity, making it an attractive potential ingredient in cosmetics and food items. Photo: Shutterstock Images

Published: 9:00am, 5 Jun 2023

Researchers in China have unlocked the secrets of a compound found in jellyfish that could revolutionise a 100 billion yuan (US$14 billion) market that includes everything from medicine and cosmetics to fertiliser.

The discovery could lead to the large-scale production of the compound known as polyglutamic acid (PGA), known for its remarkable ability to retain water.

The research team from Nanjing University of Technology was awarded a top national prize for innovation for their work on Tuesday.

Jellyfish are able to thrive in high-pressure, high-salinity ocean environments, without dehydrating, an ability made possible by a biological polymer inside its body called polyglutamic acid, or PGA.

PGA has excellent water solubility, strong absorption capacity, and is biodegradable. Those qualities make it a desirable potential ingredient in cosmetics and food items, where it can help lock in moisture.

And in a time of growing global concerns about food insecurity, PGA can act as a biofertiliser, improving crop yields while aiding in the slow release of fertilisers and water, according to the researchers.

But sourcing PGA from nature has been a scientific challenge. Aside from jellyfish, the compound can only be found in natto, a traditional Japanese fermented food.