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Explain the economic importances of Algae.

Explain the economic importances of Algae.

Answers

Kavungya
1. Red algae produce – Agar used as a medium for culturing bacteria, fungi and algae, also in food industry, cosmetic industry produced by Genus
- Gelidium, Gracilaria, Gagartina.
2. Produce carrageenan (red algae) chrondus crispus which is a component of toothpaste, cosmetics & paints and used in food preservation
3. Alginic acid – from brain algae – Laminaria – used as a gel /thickener in cosmetics, & rubber industry. Also as a dental powder
4. Diatomite – deposits of diatoms, contains silica and is used in industrial filtration e.g in sugar refining and brewing industry.
5. Sea weeds – brown and red algae are used as fertilizers and manures.
Some blue green algae – Nostic, anabaema, spirulina are nitrogen fixers.
6. Brown algae have high iodine content and are used in drugs for treatment of goiter (produced by Laminaria sp)
7. Some can be used as human food & fodder – are rich in vitamins and proteins
8. Are major producers in ecosystems – placed at base of food chain
Kavungya answered the question on March 13, 2019 at 05:31

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