Seaweeds are used in many countries as a source of food, as a fertilizer, and in industrial applications. The main chemicals commercially obtained from seaweeds are the phycocolloids. Phycocolloids are one of several starch-like chemicals found in most seaweed. Phycocolloids have many uses and are used extensively in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries, as emulsifiers and as gelling agents.