Modern Uses of Cultivated Algae

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Modern Uses of Cultivated Algae

Algae are a "group of plants" that dominate the aquatic environment (Raymount, 1984). Organisms that make up the algae include representatives from three kingdoms and seven divisions: cyanochloranta and prochorophyta (from Kingdom Monera), pyrrhophyta, chrysophyta, phaeophyta, and rhodophyta (from Kingdom Protista), and chlorophyta (from Kingdom Plantae). All seven divisions are called algae because of a lack of roots, stems, and leaves; and most algal cells are fertile. The basic metabolic processes are located in the individual cell and all lack the xylem/phloem transport system of "higher plants". These different plant-like organisms have been used for human food and animal follage.

Macroalgae

The "macroalgae", usually referred to as seaweed, have been commercially cultured for over 300 years (Tseng, 1981). Representatives of macroalgae include red, brown, and green algae. Most people in the United States ingest red or brown algae products everyday in chocolate milk, toothpaste, candy, cosmetics, ice creams, salad dressing, and many other household and industrial products (McCoy, 1987). Macroalgae are rich in protein, carbohydrates, amino acids, trace elements, and vitamins (Waaland, 1981).

Historically, records have established that people collected seaweeds for food beginning 2,500 years ago in China (Tseng, 1981). European peoples have collected seaweeds for food for 500 years. Today, only in the Far East are macroalgae eaten directly in large quantities as food by humans.

Of the macroalgae, the most widely consumed throughout the world has been the membranaceous red alga Porphora. This algae is called "Nori", "amanori" or "hoshinori" in Japan and "purple laver" in the West. This...

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Lobban, C. S., P. J. Harrison and M. J. Duncan. 1985. The Physiological Ecology of Seaweeds. Cambridge University Press, cambridge. pp. 209-212.

McCoy, H. D. 1987. The Commercial Algaes; Prospects for One of the Oldest Industries. Aqu. Mag. July/August. pp. 46-54.

Raymont, J. E. G. 1984. Plankton and Productivity in the Oceans. Vol. 1. Phytoplankton. Pergamnon Press, Oxford.

Sommer, T. 1988. Commercial Microalgal Production: The State of the Art. Aqu. Mag. March/April. pp. 44- 47.

Tseng, C. K. 1981. Commercial cultivation. In The Biology of Seaweeds. C. S. Lobban and M. J. Wynne eds. Blackwell Scientific Publication, Oxford. pp- 680--725.

Waaland, J. R. 1981. Commercial Utilization. In The Biology of Seaweeds. C. S. Lobban and M. J. Wynne eds. Blackwell Scientific Publication, Oxford. pp. 726-741.

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