Ancient records show that people collected macroalgae for food as long as 500 B.C. Due to their high iodine content, they can help lower the risk of goiter. Algae can be used to produce biodiesel. Food: Algae have been in use as human food for centuries in various parts of the world, including Scotland, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, North and South America, China, and Japan. As algae grows, it will absorb CO2 at high rates while releasing O2, or oxygen, which can help clean emissions from nuclear power plants and other energy sources releasing CO2. A type of algae, known as carrageenan, is often added to dairy products such as cheese and sour cream in order to give them a denser texture. Agar is mainly used as a preservative in canned meat and fish, and as a gelling agent in food. Biofuel â Both macroalgae and microalgae can be use to produce fuel for cars. Golden-brown algae and diatoms are the most abundant types of unicellular algae, accounting for around 100,000 different species. These are our top 10 surprising uses of algae. (2) Studies have also indicated that the blue-green type has antiviral, antitumor, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, antidiabetic and antibacterial properties. But there is also a myriad of human uses for algae. It has the potential of producing vegetable oil. Algae can be a food, or it can be used to grow food. It's gel-like qualities give stiffening to certain foods including ice cream, and it can be farmed to create cattle feed that results in less methane being created by cowsâ digestive systems. Economic Importance of ALGAE 1. When you use algae as a fertilizer, it quickly begins to break down releasing its abundant nitrogen source. Biodiesel can serve as a cheaper source of renewable energy. June 27, 2019 algae uses these extra nutrients which help clean the water. As a result, algae can act as an excellent fertilizer that can be used to help grow crops efficiently. By Daniel Loeschen on Their carbohydrate content is used to yield bioethanol and biobutanol. By extracting oil from the algae, the rest of the algae product can be used to create biofuel that fuels power generation sources. Although the exact origin of the word algae is unknown, the singular form, alga, is a Latin word that refers to seaweed.Some etymologists have theorized that the term algae may have its roots in the Latin language from the word algÄre, which refers to the cold. In fact, according to the US Department of Energy, it may be able to yield 100 times more oil per acre than soybeans or other terrestrial oil-producing crops. As such, algae-based fuels complement biofuels made from traditional agricultural processes. We hope you are enjoying Biologywise! This means that one of the most unexpected uses of algae is supporting human metabolic processes in ways that typical plants may not be able to. Diatoms are much more common than golden-brown algae and consist of many types of plankton found in the ocean. | Commercial and industrial algae cultivation has numerous uses, including production of food ingredients such as omega-3 fatty acids or natural food colorants and dyes, food, fertilizer, bioplastics, chemical feedstock (raw material), pharmaceuticals, and algal fuel, and can also be used as a ⦠The word algae generally refer to a wide array of plants that share the name though not closely related. Find out some really interesting uses of algae, by going through this article. In fact, some companies have begun creating environment friendly plastic products with algae such as water bottles and have coined the phrase "green plastics.". The term âalgaeâ is used in particular to broadly describe the different types of aquatic organisms (more than 35,000 species are already classified), which have the following attributions: 1. algae species grow rapidly in different climatic conditions; 2. they have the ability to produce much biomass per area than any other source of biomass; 3. some algae species are capable of generating many volumes of lipids that can be used to produce fuel, food ingredients or special chemicals; 4. the main carbon source of algae ⦠These extracts are used in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products. Algae can be grown almost anywhere as long as the proper conditions are created. You may have even eaten an algae-enhanced product for breakfast today. Diatoms. Primarily, algae are not highly differentiated i⦠Additionally it is also equipped with the unique ability to produce biomass, which can also be used in a multipurpose manner. Carrageenan is used in toothpastes, ice-creams, pet food, and lotions. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. We'll never share your email address and you can opt out at any time, we promise. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Unlike other plant foods, algae actually has a complete amino acid profile meaning that it is a complete protein. Many people think of olives, safflowers and peanuts as ways to create vegetable oils, but algae can also be used to create vegetable oils. Learn about the different types of biology degrees, schools, and jobs available for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Botany, Ecology & Environmental Studies, Forensic Biology, Marine Biology, Microbiology, Physiology, Zoology and Wildlife Biology, and more. They play a significant role in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, fuel, and textile industries. Algae is remarkable in the way that it grows because it does not need to take away space from traditional plants such as corn, wheat or beans. What Are The Uses Of Algae by epicure | ifood.tv ... ifood.tv Algae can be an efficient component when it comes to wastewater treatment. Algae has emerged as a popular element in industries like cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, biofuels, and more. The energy density of biobutanol is similar to gasoline, and it can be used in a gasoline engine without any modification. The goal to create a biofuel has never been closer with algae becoming a real possibility. Algae are taken in several ways according to the choice and taste of the people. It has the potential to produce high energy content. Fertilizer. Agar, carrageenan, and alginate are some important extracts prepared from these autotrophic organisms. Essentially, algae have three components, chlorophyll and other plant pigments, omega-3 fatty acids and essential elements. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Algae are commercially cultivated for pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, cosmetics and aquaculture purpose. An attempt was made to isolate and identify green algae from Chilka Lake suitable for neutral lipid accumulation. The Culture Collection of Algae and Protozoa (CCAP) is the largest collection of marine and freshwater algae, protists and seaweed in Europe. #8: Algae Is A Productive CO2 Emissions Cleaner Listed below are a few ecological and commercial importance of red algae. Would you like to write for us? Sort through one of the largest lines of mixers, impellers, containers and accessories in the industry, © 2021 Mixer Direct - All Rights Reserved, Algae is one of the most efficient sources for creating, Unlike other plant foods, algae actually has a complete amino acid profile meaning that it is a complete protein. Brown algae is a source of alginic acid, which is used as a thickening, stabilizing, and emulsifying agent in ice-creams, dairy products, rubber, paints, shaving creams, adhesives, and in the textile industry. The term \"algae\" covers many different organisms capable of producing oxygen through photosynthesis (the process of harvesting light energy from the sun to generate carbohydrates). Each of these groups have a wide range of uses, some of them are as mentioned below: 1. Ulva a green alga, commonly known as âsea lettuceâ, is taken by man as a vegetable. Algae can be used as a fertilizer because it is a living organism. This helps take the pressure off of coal, natural gas and nuclear power. HUMAN USES OF ALGAE INTRODUCTION Microalgae and macroalgae have been utilized by man for hundreds of years as food, fodder, remedies, and fertilizers. They form a vital part of the food chain and are also involved in producing about 40 to 60 per cent of the total global oxygen for both terrestrial habitat and other aquatic habitats. Red Algae has great ecological importance. Photosynthesis is carried out by an organelle known as chloroplast, the same organelle that is found in plant cells. Algae has a high protein content and can be grown to have an even higher protein content. Sign up to receive the latest and greatest articles from our site automatically each week (give or take)...right to your inbox. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. It is a comparable biofuel to hydroelectric and geothermal energy sources. Hence, algae fuel is an increasingly viable alternative to traditional fossil fuels. Scientific research has established a connection between these nutrient-rich sea plants and the body's immune system response. It is also used in dairy products as a stabilizing agent. Seaweed is an important food supplement for animals. Copyright © Biology Wise & Buzzle.com, Inc. Recent developments in science and technology have enabled algae to be used as a source of fuel. BGA help in nitrogen fixation in the soil 2. They also produce natural pigments, which can be used as dyes. Algae are used in various fields such as in the food industry as a food supplement, in waste-water purification as a bio-filter, in laboratory research system, in space biotechnology, etc. Activity Section â Lesson 5 â The Uses of Algae. Both are found in fresh and salt water environments. Get in touch with us and we'll talk... Algae are a rich source of carbohydrates, protein, enzymes, and fiber. Algae have found applications in pollution control as well. Reproduction in algae can be vegetative, asexual, or sexual. Well, we're looking for good writers who want to spread the word. Medical Uses of Algae In the west mostly the phycocolloids from algae are used as binders and emulsifiers in pharmacy and in wound dressings (alginate wools are absorbent). However, certain features unite them, while distinguishing them from the other major group of photosynthetic organisms: the land plants. Algae can convert atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia, which can be used by plants. Algal extracts are commonly used in preparing foods and other products, and the direct consumption of algae has existed for centuries in the diets of East Asian and Pacific Island societies. The energy density of biobutanol is similar to gasoline, and it can be used in a gasoline engine without any modification. Algae being the producers of aquatic environment constitute the primary food sources for aquatic animals. Besides being an extremely nutritious food, they are increasingly used for industrial purposes. Algae cultivation uses both land that in many cases is unsuitable for traditional agriculture, as well as water sources that are not useable for other crops, such as sea-, brackish- and wastewater. Algae fertilizer is especially useful because it is a living organism. The algae are considered rich in proteins, carbohydrates, fats and Vitamin A, B, C and E. They constitute a distinct group, which includes simple single-celled to multicellular organisms. These natural pigments have the potential of substituting chemical dyes in the future. There are 3 types of algae: Green, Brown and Red. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. As found by some studies, algae has the capability to produce over 30 times more energy per unit area than other 1st and 2nd generation biofuel crops. Algae has numerous benefits that make it an ideal choice for creating a variety of interesting products. Their carbohydrate content is used to yield bioethanol and biobutanol. They also said that if algae biofuel replaces all the petroleum fuel in the country, it would require 40,000 square kilomet⦠Flocculation is an expensive method of harvesting algae that only large algae farms can usually afford. Mixer Direct is founded on the idea that you can size and select your own mixing equipment. These organisms are not necessarily closely related. Medical uses of algae essaysAlgae have been used for centuries, especially in Asian countries, as a remedy to cure or prevent various physical ailments. Plants also use chloroplast for the same function. The carbon dioxide generated in the power plants is poured into the tanks or ponds where the algae are fed. So, algae have found a wide range of applications. Red marine algae, a type of marine algae are used for treating many diseases, and are believed to be capable of boosting the immune system. It all started Algae uses water that is not suited for regular crops and facilities can be built on any type of land, making it easy for farmers to farm algae in areas where traditional crops would not do well. seaweeds. 173 views Algae can also be found in household products, such as toothpaste and various pharmaceuticals. When algae is used as a fertilizer, it quickly begins to break down releasing its abundant nitrogen source. In addition to all these, algae have been a part of traditional medicine since ancient times, especially in Asian countries. So, they are widely consumed in many parts of the world, especially in Asian countries like China, Japan, and Korea. Algae may even be used to produce fuel. As Algae is living organism so we can use it for generating fertilizers. The red alga nori, or laver (Porphyra), is the most important commercial food alga. Whether you are in the energy industry or the agricultural industry, chances are you have heard the mention of algae from time to time, most likely because of the many different uses algae have in todayâs world. Fuel, and it can be used as a fertilizer because it needs CO2 order. Known as chloroplast, the benefits of algae: green, Brown and red plant foods algae. Global warming and climate change while distinguishing them from the algae product can be as... China and one thousand of years later in Europe significant role in the future a myriad of human for! By Daniel Loeschen on June 27, 2019 | No Comments it for fertilizers... Macroalgae and microalgae can be used in food: the Jury 's Still out be to... In sustainable energy and environmental technology increasingly viable alternative to traditional fossil fuels step for wastewater treatments and trace essential! 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