Ascophyllum nodosum was collected from New Quay, Co. Clare,Ireland and Fucus vesiculosus was harvested from Spiddal, Co. Galway,Ireland and transported to the laboratory in the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG) for taxonomic identification, washing and
storage at −20 °C. Seaweed samples were supplied to the Teagasc Food Research Centre (Ashtown,Dublin 15, Ireland) for seaweed extract manufacture. Seaweeds were freeze-dried at−20 °C for 72 h, vacuumpacked and stored at −80 °C prior to extraction