Oregon State University

The type of dulse was patented in the late 1990s. Langdon and his colleagues originally focused on growing it as food for a type of fish called abalone.

After completing their research, Langdon said they stopped working with the dulse, until last year. At that time, a colleague from the school of business approached Langdon about studying the seaweed for human food.

"[It] turns out there was a really favorable response," Langdon said.