Seaweed

Photo of detached seaweed frond lying on sand
Dead Man's Fingers (Codium fragile) off Massachusetts coast in the United States
Photo of seaweed with the tip floating at the surface
The top of a kelp forest in Otago, New Zealand

Seaweed is a term used for several kinds of algae that is endemic to the ocean. Red algae, green algae and brown algae are commonly considered to be seaweed.

Seaweed gets its energy from photosynthesis, just as plants do.

Ecology

Two specific environmental requirements are important in seaweed ecology. These are the presence of seawater (or at least brackish water) and the presence of enough light for photosynthesis.

Another common requirement is a place to attach to. As a result, seaweeds are commonly found near the shore. Within that area, they are found more often on rocky shores than on sand or shingle. Seaweeds occupy a wide range of ecological niches. The highest elevation is only wetted by the tops of sea spray, the lowest is several meters deep. In some areas, seaweeds near the shore can extend several miles out to sea. The limit to how much they grow in such cases is based on how much sunlight there is. The deepest living seaweeds are the various kelps.

A number of species such as Sargassum have adapted to a fully planktonic niche and are free-floating, depending on gas-filled sacs to stay afloat.

Others have adapted to live in tidal rock pools. In this niche seaweeds must withstand rapidly changing temperature and salinity (amount of salt) and even occasional drying.[1]

Uses

Seaweed has different uses. Sometimes it is farmed[2] or foraged from the wild.[3]

Food

People living on the coast often eat seaweed, especially those in East Asia, such as Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. It is also used in Belize, Peru, the Canadian Maritimes, Scandinavia, Ireland, Wales, Philippines, and Scotland.

Tiwi, Albay residents discovered a new pancit or noodles made from seaweed. These have health benefits. Seaweed is rich in calcium and magnesium and seaweed noodles can be cooked into pancit canton, pancit luglug, spaghetti or carbonara.[4]

In Asia, Zicai (紫菜) (in China), gim (in Korea) and nori (in Japan) are sheets of dried Porphyra used in soups or to wrap sushi. Chondrus crispus (commonly known as Irish moss or carrageenan moss) is another red alga used in producing various food additives, along with Kappaphycus and various gigartinoid seaweeds. Porphyra is a red alga used in Wales to make laver. Laverbread, made from oats and the laver, is a popular dish there. Affectionately called "Dulce" in northern Belize, seaweeds are mixed with milk, nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla to make a common beverage.

Seaweeds are also harvested or cultivated for the extraction of alginate, agar and carrageenan, gelatinous substances collectively known as hydrocolloids or phycocolloids. Hydrocolloids have attained commercial significance as food additives.[5] The food industry exploits their gelling, water-retention, emulsifying and other physical properties. Agar is used in foods such as confectionery, meat and poultry products, desserts and beverages and moulded foods. Carrageenan is used in salad dressings and sauces, dietetic foods, and as a preservative in meat and fish products, dairy items and baked goods.

Medicine

 
Seaweed-covered rocks in the United Kingdom

Seaweed is a source of iodine,[6] necessary for thyroid function and to prevent goitre.

Seaweed extract is used in some diet pills.[7][8][9] Other seaweed pills exploit the same effect as gastric banding, expanding in the stomach to make the body feel more full.[10][11]

Other uses

Seaweed is currently under consideration as a potential source of bioethanol.[12][13] Seaweed is an ingredient in some toothpaste, cosmetics and paints.[2]

Seaweed Media

References

  1. Lewis, J.R. 1964. The Ecology of Rocky Shores. The English Universities Press Ltd.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Seaweed farmers get better prices if united. Sun.Star. 2008-06-19. http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/dav/2008/06/19/bus/seaweed.farmers.get.better.prices.if.united.jica.html. Retrieved 2008-07-16. 
  3. "Springtime's foraging treats". Life and Health, Guardian.co.uk. The Guardian. 2007-01-06. Retrieved 2008-07-16.
  4. Albay folk promote seaweed 'pansit'. ABS-CBN Regional Network Group. 2008-04-08. http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/04/08/08/albay-folk-promote-seaweed-pansit. Retrieved 2009-08-04. 
  5. Round F.E. 1962 The Biology of the Algae. Edward Arnold Ltd.
  6. "Iodine in Seaweed". Archived from the original on 2008-09-26. Retrieved 2010-01-06.
  7. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/food_and_drink/article2472720.ece
  8. Maeda, H; Hosokawa, M; Sashima, T; Funayama, K; Miyashita, K (Jul 2005). "Fucoxanthin from edible seaweed, Undaria pinnatifida, shows antiobesity effect through UCP1 expression in white adipose tissues". Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 332 (2): 392–7. doi:10.1016/j.bbrc.2005.05.002. PMID 15896707.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. "So which diet pills CAN trim your tum? Our expert put top brands to the test". Daily Mail.
  10. "Fox News". Fox News.
  11. "Appesat, the Seaweed Diet Pill that Expands in the Stomach". 6 January 2009.
  12. Ireland Taps New Energy Source : Discovery News : Discovery Channel
  13. Seaweed Biofuels: Production of Biogas and Bioethanol from Brown Macroalgae