Marine algae: An Introduction, Food value and Medicinal uses

Abstract

The internal and exterior medicinal uses of seaweeds are diverse. Only macrophytic marine algae grown in salt water, whether they are wild or produced, may be properly referred to be seaweeds. There are three botanical categories for seaweeds: green, brown, and red. The photosynthetic pigments, reproductive mode, micro and macro morphologies, and phycopolymers of a given seaweed all play a role in classifying it into one of these categories. The identification of metabolites with biological activity in macroalgae has accelerated in the recent three decades. Despite significant investment in research by both academic and commercial entities, very few items with commercial viability have been found or created. Sulfated polysaccharides as antiviral substances, halogenated furanones from Delisea pulchra as antifouling compounds, and kahalalide F from a species of Bryopsis as a possible treatment for lung cancer, tumors, and AIDS are some of the substances currently receiving the most attention from pharmaceutical companies for use in drug development or from researchers in the field of medicine-related research. A wide variety of chemicals with recognized biological activity, including macroalgal lectins, fucoidans, kainoids, and aplysiatoxins, are commonly utilized in biomedical research. To the north of the equator, in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and in the North and Baltic seas, you'll find the brown seaweed known as Fucus vesiculosus. This species often coexists with other seaweeds in kelp preparations. Seaweed has a long history of usage as a herbal medicine, with applications ranging from traditional cosmetics to the treatment of cough, asthma, hemorrhoid, boils, goiters, stomach disorders, and urinary infections. It has also been shown to have anti-cancer, anti-ulcer, and anti headache effects.