Economic Importance of Algae
*Algae as primary producers-
Algae provides the base or beginnig of most aquatic animals or organisms because of their photosynthetic activities so it is also known as primary producers of organic matter.
*Commercal products from algae-many products are derived from algal cell wall for economic value. Three of thes are. Agar Alginic acid and Carrageenan,are produced from the walls of algae.
*Carrageenan, are produced from the walls of several red algae.Species of Chondrus ,Gigartina are mostly used.
Chondrus crispus algae
*Agar is well known as a solidifying agent in the preparation of microbiological media. It is obtained from red algae. Species of Gelidium and Graciaria are extensively used.
*Alginic acid and its salts are obtained from the for brown algae.Species of brown algae producing this compound include- Macrocystis,Laminaria,Fucus.
*Algae as food-many species of algae are(mostly red and brown algae)are used as food in the far east.
Red algae one of the most important is Porphyra.
*Other red algae such as Chondrus, Nemalion are locally collected and prepared.
Nemalion elminthoides
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