Seaweed and its Valuable Use.Seaweed Laver Extract.
Article Content:
- .Seaweed and its Valuable Use.
- .What is Seaweed?.
- .Seaweed Classification.
- .Seaweed Agricultural Uses.
- .Research Update:Seaweed Laver.
Seaweed Agricultural Uses.
As we have mentioned seaweeds have been used in the Agricultural industry for centuries now, though only seaweeds from the brown and red zones are commercially harvested. The earliest traces of life on earth, about 3.5 billion years old, include forms of blue-green algae equipped with chlorophyll. Many tests have been performed on these enormous plants to show the improvements that they have made on plants other than themselves. Kelpak for instance, which is a new liquid seaweed concentrate, is made from brown kelp and harvested near South Africa's western coast. It is liquified without heat, chemicals, freezing, or dehydration. In some of these tests performed, a dilute solution was applied to plants as a soil soak or leaf spray. The growth of these plants was tremendous! The plant which was doused with seaweed had an improved root growth and yield which had increased by up to 40 and 60 percent! It had accelerated marigold flowering, and also increased the size and chlorophyll content of the swiss chard. All of these effects primarily were attributed to natural growth promoters in the seaweed! The rich agricultural crops typical of Northwestern France are attributed directly to regular use of seaweed fertilizer. The seaweed industry itself is relatively valuable because it can be used as fertilizers or even a substitute for soil. "This seaweed has been used by the agricultural industry in animal fodder and in fertilizers that improve the nutrient content as well as the mechanical properties of the soil" (Libyan and Wynne, 1981). This in turn has had a tremendous result on the plants and animals that directly consume this seaweed. Growth, health, and quality have all been a result of this added fertilizer.
Kelp has been found to have many important and useful substances for todays economy. Some of us have never thought of or realized the fact that some part of seaweed could be in the very thing we put on and wear each day. Could this be the reason why your lipstick stays on so well, or maybe this why in some of todays moisturizers that you wear causes your skin become really soft and smooth. Other helpful ways inwhich seaweed benefits todays society can be found in the kelp of San Diego. This kelp is harvested on a daily basis. From it, a gelatinous compound called algin is extracted. This extraction process produces a fishy-smelling substance. Getting rid of this material seemed to be a hazardous task until three inventors from Damco (a truck and heavy equipment rental co. in Chula Vista, Ca.) accidentally discovered that this "slimy stuff" could be used to put out fires. They found it was able to absorb and contain the liquid fuel spread by fire fighting efforts. The way they stumbled across such a fire stopping agent was to the surprise of two gentlemen who began testing some oil-absorbent materials. During one of the random fuel tests performed, the blaze they received was a little bigger than anticipated. In a rush to put it out, the two men threw the nearest thing they had on to the fire. This of coarse just happened to be the dried kelp nearby. To their amazement the kelp quickly doused the fire in seconds (Nobbe, 1994). Taking advantage of such a wonderful discovery, Damco began making fires-suppressant bricks, flakes, and powder. The company mixed the kelp sludge with water, smoothed it out in a two inch layer to dry in the sun, and mulched it into something which looked like kitty litter. Each of the 11-15 lb. bags would retail for about $15 a cubic foot (Nobbe, 1994).
Seaweed as Food:
Along with helping put to put out blazing fires, or accelerating the growing process of plants, seaweed is used for a variety of other purposes as well. One of them being food for the human family. "Generally, kelp is valued for its micro nutrients (e.g. iodine) and to a lesser extent its vitamins and amino acid content" (Lembi and Waaland, 1988). The cultivation of Laminaria is becoming increasingly important in meeting marketing requirements as it is used to prepare many different dishes to be eaten. The world production of seaweed is providing the agricultural and other industries with a good source of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. " There is now evidence that dates back to 600 and 800 B.C., that the Chinese used seaweed as food. It is also likely that the Hawaiians, Greeks, and Romans utilized various seaweed's in ways that gave rise to todays modern usage" (Lobban and Wynne, 1981). At one time in Great Britain, substantial industries existed for the manufacture of soda and of iodine from seaweed. This market for cultivating edible kelp is and will continue to grow at a rapid pace in todays society. This will result in the decrease access to wild plants, an increase in the human population, the manufacturing of new kelp products, and increased acceptance of established products.
Industrializing Seaweed:
Carrageenans, a term that is used interchangeably with C. crispus and Irish moss, plays an important role in our economy in a variety of different ways. For instance, it is used to smooth consistency to icecreams, puddings, processed cheeses, jams, light beer, and other food products. In the pharmaceutical industry, the use of carrageenans range from stabilizers, emulsifiers or colloids for suspensions, and gel coatings for pills, to bases for antacids, cough syrup, and ointments.
"Recently Porphyra nereocytosis has been examined in California as an alternative to the importation, but at present its exportation is regarded as scarcely economical" (Woessner, Sorenson and coon, 1977). Alvaro Israel, of the Israeli National Institute in Haifa, has identified 107 types and 493 varieties of seaweed used by human beings. Most are grown and consumed in the Far East and the Pacific in accordance with long traditions.Dating back to at least 533-544 A.D.. Even today it "continues to be highly valued in soups and as flavoring in many dishes" (Lembi et al., 1988). Following the preparation process that come with nori, it is packaged in bundles of ten and sold as a paper-thin purplish black sheets on the open market. A principle natural algal food product is laver, or Toasted nori (yaki-nori). This is ordinary nori pre-toasted and sold in an air tight packages. Such preparation is a major industry. "In 1903 it was even being put into tins for boiling with Soya bean sauce and in railway stations. It was taking the place of the inevitable sandwich that had been offered to the public under the name 'SUSHI' (Chapman and Chapman 1980).
Another way seaweed's are of great importance to our environment and economy is through the use of green seaweed's. These seaweeds are sometimes better known as Chlorophyte. These are very similar in color to the stems of flowering plants and can be found anchored to pebbles and shells in sandy beaches. Within these Chlorophyte, "certain micro algae have an unusual breadth of nutritional quality when compared to the higher plants of our diet. Among the micro algae of commercial importance, Sprulina stands out" (Lembi et al., 1988).
Medical Uses:
Spirulina also has some therapeautic applications a well as being a part of our everyday diet. For instance, "ongoing research at Harvard Medical School also supports the use of Spirulina extracts in the treatment of certain cancers" (Lembi et al,. 1988). Some other published and unpublished experiments on potential therapeutic applications of Spirulina include that of: external wounds on human subjects, hypothyroidism on poultry, oral cancer, obesity, diabetes, cataracts, and allergies. Each of these being found on humans. Any of these therapeautic applications which are listed above, if they are confirmed, could support the cost of Spirulina.
In Todays economy, seaweeds of all colors, shapes, and smells, have come to play a huge role in each of our everyday lives. For centuries seaweed has provided us with the raw materials needed for the production of numerous items and has indirectly served a vital and significant role to our economy by providing many jobs. In Asia, the 530,000 hectares of seaweed farmed by 250,000 family businesses provide 950,000 jobs. Without this enormous source of plant life growth found in ponds, freshwater lakes, and oceans, many jobs would not be had, as well as lives benefited. What a wonderful thing it is to know we have such helpful plants throughout our environment. Though how odd this plant many look, may we continue to use these sea beds with caution, for they belong to the ocean, not to us.
Seaweeds are used extensively as food by coastal peoples, most particularly in China, Korea, Indonesia, Peru, the Canadian Maritimes, Scandinavia, Ireland, Wales, Philippines, and Scotland, among other places. For example, laver is a red alga used in Wales to make laverbread, and in China dried. Irish moss is another red alga used in producing various food additives.
Seaweed is also used for the production of Alginate, a versatile product that is used for a whole range of applications. These include the production of Agar which is used very widely in microbiology as a substrate for culturing organisms. Alginates are also used in the production of foodstuffs to improve texture and mouth-feel. Typical products are ice-cream and a range of proprietary desserts (see Carrageenan).
Other seaweeds may be used as seaweed fertiliser.
Healthy and tasty roasted/seasoned Seaweed, Laver and Algae
Seaweed, laver and algae are excellent food because of its high nutritional values. Seaweed/algae is low in Cholesterol and is a good source of vitamin B5: beneficial for reducing cholesterol, Rheumatoid arthritis and Acne. Dried or roasted seaweed/laver also contains Magnesium, Vitamin 1 and Iron which are essential for preventing diabetes and heart attacks. Dried or roasted seaweed/laver also contains Riboflavin and Niacin which promote fast tissue repair.
Reference:
1.Seaweed and its Valuable Use.Seaweed Laver Extract.
Statistics
Spectrum
FAQ
Of Herbs