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Seaweed, algae, and kelp are excellent sources of minerals such as iron, iodine, potassium, and trace minerals. Sea vegetables also have a high digestible protein level and rich in fiber.
Colors of seaweed, composition and usage.
Seaweed needs light to grow.
The deeper they life the darker there colour will become. Long wavelengths (red and infrared) are absorbed in the top metres of water, the very short wavelengths (ultraviolet) of the light can penetrate much deeper and below 10 m it is mainly blue-green.
With the difference in colour different chemical compositions appear.
Similar for color,(photosynthetic pigments), food storage and Cell Wall components.
|
Division |
Photosynthetic pigments |
Food reserve |
Cell Wall components |
|
Chlorophyta (green algae) |
chlorophylls a and b, carotenoids |
starch |
Polysaccharides or cellulose |
|
Phaeophyta (brown algae) |
chlorophylls a and c, carotenoids including fucoxanthin |
Laminarin and oils |
Cellulose and algin |
|
Rhodophyta (red algae) |
chlorophyll a and d, carotenoids, phycobilins |
Floridean starch |
Cellulose, pectin compounds, impregnated with calcium carbonate in some species |
Brown algae (kelp, fucus) is the most nutritious of the sea vegetables & seaweeds. It is an excellent source of potassium and can easily be ground into a powder which may be sprinkled over the food and added too the feed.
Red algae (gigartina, nori, dulce, and Iris Moss) contains a high concentration of carrageenan which results in the red algae having a gelatinous consistency, food and feed structuring. The red algae maintains this form in the intestines and thus helps to absorb poisons and toxins which will then be carried out of the body.(Detoxification)
The Green algae, sea lettuce and entermorpha has a lower mineral content, but is an excellent source of iron. In addition it also contains a compound called cesium which binds with carcinogens to remove them from the digestive tract. This is easy to digest and tastes like oysters.
Blue-green algae is known because it is earth's most concentrated source of chlorophyll. It contains vitamins (especially B12), minerals, trace minerals, and beta carotene. It also has significant amounts of naturally occurring precursors of glycogen and other compounds which help to nourish and enhance brain activity. |
