Algae are unicellular or multicellular aquatic plants. The thallus (body) of the multicellular alga usually consists of a stem, attachment organs and leaf gills. They reproduce by cell division and fragmentation and live mostly in an aquatic environment, and are classified according to the function of their structure and pigments. They are the primary producers in the aquatic food chains; the planktonic ones are fundamental, as they produce most of the molecular oxygen in the earth's atmosphere.
> 2. The characteristics of algae
> 3. The classification
> 4. Our guides on algae
The benefits of algae
The benefits of algae are potentially endless. They can be used both in the production of facial masks, shampoos, beauty products That like food supplements, fertilizers or medicines. In some countries they are considered an unmissable food on the table. Marine algae are found along the coasts all over the world; It is curious to note that their presence far exceeds the size of the terrestrial emerged vegetation.
Many civilizations have been feeding on algae since time immemorial: Chinese documents from 3000 BC in fact, they testify that Emperor Shennung used seaweed both as medicine and as food. The Korean court regularly traded fucus, agar and seaweed Cloud, while the Japanese have famously used many varieties from ancient times.
Read also how seaweed helps fight cellulite
The characteristics of algae
Algae contain a large part of their weight extraordinarily rich plasma of metals, minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, antibiotics.
All these elements are found there in proportions, depending on the type of seaweed. Potassium, nitrogen, phosphorus and proteins therefore, but also many vitamins (A, Bl, B2, B3, B6, B12, C, D, E, F, K, PP), amino acids, starches and fats. Algae are a rich source of nutrition.
The classification
Algae are classified according to the type of chlorophyll and pigments present, substances that allow them to live at different depths, where there is a different penetration of light and therefore gives them a different conformation and their own colors.
Algae are distinguished in three main types: red algae, or rhodophytes; brown algae, or phaeophytes; green algae, or chlorophytes.
- Red algae contain phycoerythrin, a pigment that gives them bright red to black colors, and that allows them to absorb green-light radiations.blue which penetrate to a greater depth.
- in brown algae the fucoxanthin pigment is present, which determines its particular yellow-brown colors. They are among the largest algae. Examples of brown seaweed are the fucus or laminaria.
- Le green algae, or chlorophytes, include unicellular forms, isolated or united in colonies, which may have given rise to the multicellular forms. One example is sea lettuce, common in the Mediterranean.
Our guides on algae
It is not easy to juggle and move safely and consciously on products that are not part of our diet in the traditional way and to be sure that they are good for you, as well as delight the palate.
That's why we have compiled a list of the main algae that are on the market and their properties for the body, to understand and observe their effects both inside and out!
Did you know that algae are also used in food according to the Kusmine method?
