From the Greek “Litho” (which means stone) and “Thamnion” (small tree), the etymology of Lithothamnium perfectly describes the shape of this algae that grows from 0.3 to 3 mm per year and can live between 10 and 15 years

Lithothamnium Calcareum is a red algae belonging to the Corallinaceae family. There are over 5,000 species of red algae, most of them being of marine origin, with only about 150 freshwater species.

The reddish color of these algae is mainly determined by the pigment phycoerythrin. Red algae are the most abundant in deep seabeds, reaching depths of 250 meters.

Marine algae are essential for life on Earth, contributing to almost half of global photosynthesis. However, they also store a large amount of substances.

Lithothamnium Calcareum has high bioavailability, containing a harmonious blend of organic marine minerals, which mainly include calcium, magnesium and potassium, but it also contains iron, fluoride, manganese, silica, zinc, bromine, copper, molybdenum,
cobalt, sulfur, sodium and traces of selenium, in addition to a small percentage of amino acids (proline, lysine), aspartic and glutamic acid and traces of alginates.

In human nutrition, apart from its properties that replenish calcium and other mineral losses, Lithothamnium has a series of proven benefits:

• Bone recalcification.
  • Anti-inflammatory benefits
  • Anticancer properties.
  • Antioxidant properties.
  • It contributes to the formation of hemoglobin and prevents iron deficiency anemia.

Additionally, the biochemical complexity of this algae makes Lithothamnium Calcareum very versatile and offers multiple benefits to the skin.

In animal nutrition, it promotes an ionic balance, which is why it can be considered an excellent pH buffer at the ruminal level. Other benefits for the animal are also obtained, such as the control of the partial pressure of oxygen and its availability for other organ functions. It is also used for animal bedding: cattle, goats, horses, pigs etc., in addition to having a deworming function

Regarding plant nutrition, it provides micronutrients and acts as a soil pH controller and buffer in acid soils. The soil structure is improved and the bioavailability of nutrients for plants is increased, thereby increasing the effectiveness of fertilization programs. It is a product suitable for use in organic farming.

Lithothamnium Calcareum is a marine algae that is harvested in multiple ways.
It is not normally harvested until it is dead, so it remains lying on the seabed.

One of the forms of extraction is by trawling the seabed, both from
ships and at low tide. This form of extraction is not selective since
it can extract other products that may be on the seabed, therefore,
it is more harmful to the environment, and can even drag live algae along with it, representing a danger for the future.

Another form of harvesting is by means of boats, by pumping
pressurized water to make the algae that are deposited on the seabed
buoyant. This last form of extraction is common in areas farthest
from the coast, where there is no possibility of trawling due to the depth.

In contrast, having an onshore deposit where a sea existed millions of
years ago allows for a fully respectful extraction process. A
perfect habitat where Lithothamnium calcareum has remained in its original
state.

Lithothamnium Calcareum is found at the bottom of the sea in permanently submerged coastal areas, at a shallow depth (between 10 and 60 m).
It is found in many seas, from the French coast of Brittany, Iceland, Norway, the United Kingdom and Galicia, to the Mediterranean coast, Brazil and Chile.

The Lithoalgas deposit in the north of Spain is the only known onshore reserve of Lithothamnium calcareum in the world, where harvesting in a fully sustainable manner is feasible.

The seabed from 150 million years ago has nothing to do with the current one. Free of microplastics, heavy metals from phytosanitary products or other pollutants, the wealth of the sea remained buried and unaltered for millions of years to create the Lithoalgas onshore deposit, a harmonious habitat where Lithothamnium calcareum is found in its purest state.

This purity and age of the algae, together with its microporous structure, give it unique properties that allow it to increase the bioavailability of minerals and their effectiveness, in addition to the fact that it does not require additional industrial washing and defluorination processes.