PLANTS AND HUMAN WELFARE LOWER PLANTS AS FOOD

PLANTS AND HUMAN WELFARE LOWER PLANTS AS FOOD ALGAE SERIES REFERENCES Economic Botany – B. P. Pandey. www. Google. co. in

USE OF LOWER PLANTS AS FOOD üThe plants have the chlorophyll pigments and they have capacity to prepare their own food. üThese autotrophs have the property of capturing inexhaustible energy of sun to synthetic organic compound which are vital for the existence of all life on earth.

ALGAE AS FOOD üFrom the earliest times several sea weeds have been used as direct source of food to human beings. üHigh mineral elements important in human and animal physiology are found and makes sea weeds a unique supplement for a well balanced diet.

ALGAE AS FOOD üThe sea weeds are the richest source of vitamins i. e vitamin A, B and E are found in abundance in sea weeds. üSeveral important food stuffs prepared by algae are suimono, mitus and dulse etc,

Kelp Pelagophycus phora

Caulerpa Chara chondrus crispus - Irish moss

Codium Nostoc

Halophila spinulosa Hydrodictyon Macrocystis pyrifera

FOOD FOR SEA ANIMALS AND FISHES üThe algae are used as a direct source of food by several sea animals and fishes üThe marine algae are rich in iodine and several other important minerals. üThis make the fundamental source of food for all marine animals and in this respect sea is the richest food producing area. üMarine planktonic diatoms together with Dinoflagellate are of fundamental biological importance since all life of sea is dependent upon them.

USE OF ALGAE AS FOOD üSince algae are rich in Vitamins and minerals, they form the most important part of the diet of Japan and China. üIn our country a few species of Spirogyra and Oedogonium are utilized as food in South India üJapan tops the list in using algae as food and they prepare several sea weeds preparations such as Suimono, Mitsu, Dulse, Laver or Nori. üOther countries like Malaya, Indonesia, Burma and Thailand the sea weeds are used as food.

USE OF ALGAE AS FOOD Spirulina as food source of protein üThe two edible species spirulina which is being domesticated and utilized as food supplement are S. maxima and S. platensis üSpirulina is reported to have 60% protein content which is superior to meat, milk, egg and soybean üIt is a fine blend of vitamins, complex containing Beta carotene and B 1, B 2, B 6, C and E and B 12. üIt contains 5 -6 % essential fatty acids and more gamma linolenic acid GLA. üMinerals include Selenium, manganese, zinc, copper, iron and chromium.

SPIRULINA AND ITS PRODUCTS

ALGAE AS AGAR üAgar is a powder obtained from the plant body of marine algae such as Gelidium, Sarconema, Hypnea and Gracilaria üAgar agar is used in the preparation of ice creams, jellies, desserts, in sizing the textiles and clearing many liquids üIt is also used in preparing shaving cream, cosmetics and shoe polishes. üIn Biological laboratories it is used as artificial media.

Red algae used for agar preparation Fresh water algae

Porphyra perforata Gelidium pulchrum (red algae)

Agar agar packets Agar powder Caulerpa sps. Algae in fresh water

MINERAL CONTENTS üPotassium, sodium and chloride salts found in the sea weeds. are üIodine surpasses mineral iodine in drinking water and iodized table salt. üMinerals are important in human metabolism and all of them are present as the trace elements of sea weeds. üCopper content was found in Sarconema and Acanthophora spicigera.

ALGAE AS SOURCE OF VITAMINS üVitamin B is found in great abundance in almost all phaeophyceae group of sea weeds. üVitamin B 12 content is higher in green and algae red üChlorella contains thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid , choline, biotin, vitamin B 12 and lipoic acid.

Chlorella Volvox

ALGAE AS SOURCE OF VITAMINS Vitamin B is rich in Ulva poryphyra and Vitamin C is rich in Alaria valida Diatom Nitzschia is rich in Vitamin A that is found in liver oils of many fish

USE OF SEAWEEDS AS FERTILIZERS üMacrocystis and Nereocystis posses 80% of potash in their dry weight. üSea weeds are a store house of the important potash, ionic sulphate , trace elements and growth substances.

USE OF ALGAE AS FODDER FOR HENS AND MILK CATTLE üCattle foods can be prepared from seaweeds from the brown algae and the processed food is fed to cattle poultry and even pigs. üThe iodine quantity of the milk and eggs may sufficiently increased. üMilk yielding and egg laying capaciy of cattle and poultry will also be enhanced.

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