Jiali Chen
Phycocolloids are one of many starch-like chemical substances found on some seaweeds. They are gelatinous substance and have the ability to form viscous gels. Phycolloids stabilize, thicken, emulsify, and maintain moisture.
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Green Algae
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Brown Algae
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Red Algae
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| Green Algae is an indicator of pollution; the greater the amount of green algae present in the water, the higher the amount of nitrogen waste exists the water, which is caused by runoff or direct pollution. | Algin - is a substance that is extracted from brown algae and can be used to thicken food | carrageenan - help liquids and particles to stay together agar - is used as an environment in which bacteria can be grown |
Other Uses:
Dairy |
Non-Dairy |
Industrial |
Medical |
Pharmaceutical |
| cheeses | syrups | adhesives | ointments | lotions |
| ice cream | salad dressings | cleaners | capsules | cosmetics |
| chocolate milk | icings | explosives | anti-coagulants | toothpaste |
| mayonaise | candies | rubber processing | dental impression molds | laxatives |
| egg nog | jello | paints | ulcer medicine | shaving soaps |
Related Links:
| Modern Uses of Cultivated Alage | Ethnobotanical Leaflets | Site that describes the modern uses of algae both Macroalgae and Microalgae. |
| Itmonline.org | The Nutritional and Medicinal Value of Seaweeds Used in Chinese Medicine | Describes the uses of seaweeds in relieving goiter, swelling, edema, urinary infection and sore throat |
| Gelidium | Marine Botany | Gelidium industries exist in 22 countries for its high quality agar, however, it has grown out of favor due to its slow growth rate |