Marine-Derived Biostimulants:
Alginate Oligosaccharides (AOS) vs. Chitosan Oligosaccharides (COS)
As sustainable agriculture continues to evolve, marine-derived biostimulants are gaining increasing attention for their ability to improve crop productivity, nutrient use efficiency, and plant resilience under abiotic and biotic stress conditions.
Among the most promising marine biostimulant ingredients are Alginate Oligosaccharides (AOS) and Chitosan Oligosaccharides (COS).
Although both are classified as natural biostimulants, they deliver different physiological benefits and target different plant response pathways.
Understanding the Difference
| Feature | Alginate Oligosaccharides (AOS) | Chitosan Oligosaccharides (COS) |
| Source | Brown seaweed extract | Chitin from shrimp and crab shells |
| Biostimulant Category | Growth-promoting biostimulant | Defense-inducing biostimulant |
| Primary Function | Root stimulation and nutrient efficiency | Plant immunity activation |
| Main Plant Response | Growth and development | Defense and resistance |
| Target Stress | Drought, salinity, heat, cold | Disease pressure and environmental stress |
| Typical Application | Growth stages and stress recovery | Preventive plant health management |
| Market Position | Crop productivity enhancement | Plant defense enhancement |
Alginate Oligosaccharides (AOS)
Seaweed-Derived Biostimulant for Root Development and Crop Productivity
Alginate Oligosaccharides are low-molecular-weight fractions derived from alginate extracted from brown seaweed.
AOS is widely recognized as a plant growth-promoting biostimulant capable of enhancing root architecture, nutrient uptake, and overall crop vigor.
Key Biostimulant Benefits
✅ Stimulates root growth and root hair formation
✅ Improves nutrient uptake efficiency
✅ Enhances fertilizer use efficiency (FUE)
✅ Promotes photosynthetic activity
✅ Supports plant growth under abiotic stress
✅ Improves drought and salinity tolerance
✅ Accelerates recovery from transplant shock and phytotoxicity
✅ Contributes to higher crop yield and quality
Chitosan Oligosaccharide（COS）
Chitosan Oligosaccharides are produced through the hydrolysis of chitosan derived from natural chitin sources.
COS is considered one of the most effective plant defense elicitors used in modern biostimulant programs.
Key Biostimulant Benefits
✅ Activates natural plant defense mechanisms
✅ Induces systemic resistance responses
✅ Enhances disease resistance
✅ Improves antioxidant enzyme activity
✅ Strengthens tolerance to environmental stress
✅ Supports plant health and vigor
✅ Improves fruit quality and post-harvest performance
Conclusion
Both Alginate Oligosaccharides (AOS) and Chitosan Oligosaccharides (COS) are valuable marine-derived biostimulants that contribute to sustainable crop production. While AOS primarily enhances root development, nutrient uptake, and crop productivity, COS supports plant health through the activation of natural defense mechanisms and improved stress resilience.
By understanding their unique modes of action, growers and formulators can select the most suitable solution—or combine both technologies—to achieve stronger crop performance, improved stress tolerance, and higher agricultural productivity.
Jiangsu Cycle Bioscience Co., Ltd. supplies high-quality Alginate Oligosaccharides and Chitosan Oligosaccharides for global agricultural markets, supporting the development of innovative biostimulant formulations for sustainable farming and enhanced crop performance.
