Minerals Contained in Deep Ocean Water and Their Current Utilization

Deep ocean water (DOW), existing below ca 200m from the surface in the ocean, has been characterized with cleanliness and containing a number of minerals, which can be used for various purposes. One of the most significant effects of minerals in seawater is acceleration and completeness of fermentation processes for foods, alcohol and many others. Tastes of foods and drinks can also be improved by adding seawater and/or its salts. A stimulation of the growth of human skin cells and formation of cornified envelope during skin cell maturation opened DOW applications into skin care and subsidiary uses for medical skin treatments. Seawater is also applied for soil improvement by adding minerals and for improving tastes of vegetables, crop and fruits by spraying onto leaves. Although many of these effects can be made by surface seawater, DOW has a great advantage for foods, drinks and skin cares because these require high cleanliness.