How will you use red algae today?
By Chelsie Vandaveer
July 16, 2002
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Little thought is given to those plants which are truly out of sight except to the people who live by the sea. Most of the oxygen in the atmosphere comes from marine algae or seaweeds. These algae comprise three divisions: Chlorophyta (green algae), Phaeophyta (brown algae), and Rhodophyta (red algae).
Rhodophyta [roe dof' i ta] are abundant in warm waters; approximately 4000 species have been identified. In the sea, there are more species of red algae than green and brown algae combined. Green algae with 7000 species (marine and fresh) far out-number red and brown in fresh water habitats.
In most species of red algae, the cell walls have an inner layer of microfibrils made of a polysaccharide, cellulose, in a matrix of other polysaccharides, mucilage. The mucilage, agarose and agaropectin, are polymers of galactose (sugar). The mucilaginous matrix gives red seaweed its rubbery, slippery texture and is commonly known as agar-agar or simply, agar.
Agar is extracted from 30 species of red algae and has found hundreds of uses in the modern world. It slows drying of bakery items and quickly gels fruit jams, glazing, and confections. It is the gel in canned meats and fruit desserts. It keeps dairy products like yogurt and ice cream smooth and
prevents ice crystals.
Gel capsules for pharmaceuticals and materials for dental impressions contain agar. In laboratories, agar is the medium for culturing bacteria, raising insects for study, performing electrophoresis, and growing tissue culture plants. In industry, agar is the colloidal stabilizer for shampoos and cosmetics. For textiles, agar provides the stiffening and glaze in sizing.
Seaweed farming and collection alone are estimated to generate six to seven billion dollars (US) annually.
Sonoma State University has numerous photographs of Rhodophyta. To view, click on the link:
http://www.sonoma.edu/users/c/cannon/bio314marinealgae.html
killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~
Suggested Reading:
What 'plant' is not a plant? Weird Plants - July 18, 2002
How does hornwort benefit from cyanobacteria? Weird Plants - February 19, 2004
How are kelp forests benefiting from sushi bars? Renfield's Garden - July 17, 2002
What are compass timbers? Plants that Changed History - February 15, 2005
Why was eel grass named for a geologist? What's in a Name? - July 25, 2003
What plant builds islands? Weird Plants - October 10, 2002
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