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Consumer Knowledge and Acceptance of “Algae” as a Protein Alternative: A UK-Based Qualitative Study
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Laura Wilkinson
Foods, Volume: 11, Issue: 12, Start page: 1703
Swansea University Authors:
Rochelle Embling, Tennessee Randall, Chloe Wakeham, Michelle Lee , Laura Wilkinson
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Copyright: © 2022 by the authors. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license
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DOI (Published version): 10.3390/foods11121703
Abstract
Overconsumption of meat has been recognised as a key contributing factor to the climate emergency. Algae (including macroalgae and microalgae) are a nutritious and sustainable food source that may be utilised as an alternative to animal-based proteins. However, little is known about the consumer awa...
| Published in: | Foods |
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| ISSN: | 2304-8158 |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2022
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| Online Access: |
Check full text
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa60152 |
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| Abstract: |
Overconsumption of meat has been recognised as a key contributing factor to the climate emergency. Algae (including macroalgae and microalgae) are a nutritious and sustainable food source that may be utilised as an alternative to animal-based proteins. However, little is known about the consumer awareness and acceptance of algae as a protein alternative. The aim of this qualitative study was to develop a rich and contextualised understanding of consumer beliefs about the use of algae in novel and innovative food products. A total of 34 participants from the UK assisted with our study. Each participant engaged in one focus group, with six focus groups conducted in total. Existing consumer knowledge of algae was discussed before participants explored the idea of algae-based food products. Reflexive (inductive) thematic analysis was used to analyse these data. Results showed that consumers have limited pre-existing knowledge of algae as a food source; however, participants were open to the idea of trying to consume algae. This anticipated acceptance of algae was influenced by several product attributes, including perceived novelty, edibility, healthiness, sustainability, and affordability. These findings highlight algae as a promising protein alternative to support plant-forward diets in the UK and identify key attributes to consider in future product development and marketing strategies. |
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| Item Description: |
The data presented in this study are available on request from the corresponding author. Full transcripts are not publicly available in order to ensure participant privacy |
| Keywords: |
algae; macroalgae; microalgae; seaweed; meat substitute; plant-based; alternative protein; consumer acceptance; consumer attitudes; qualitative |
| College: |
Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences |
| Funders: |
This work was supported by the Economic and Social Research Council [grant number ES/V502200/1: ESRC IAA/DTP NPIF ABC]. R.E. also receives funding from the ESRC Wales Doctoral
Training Partnership, Project Reference: ES/P00069X/1, Studentship 1947139. T.R. also receives
funding from the ESRC Wales Doctoral Training Partnership, Project reference: ES/P00069X/1,
Studentship 2570975. |
| Issue: |
12 |
| Start Page: |
1703 |