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Rhodophyta: Red algae

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Examples: Palmaria, Delesseria, Chondrus, Coralline algae

Palmaria palmataCharacteristics: The red colour of these algae results from the pigments phycoerythrin and phycocyanin; this masks the other pigments, Chlorophyll a (no Chlorophyll b), beta-carotene and a number of unique xanthophylls. The main reserves are typically floridean starch, and floridoside; true starch like that of higher plants and green algae is absent. The walls are made of cellulose and agars and carrageenans, both long-chained polysaccharide in widespread commercial use. There are some unicellular representatives of diverse origin; more complex thalli are built up of filaments.

A very important group of red algae is the coralline algae, which secrete calcium carbonate onto the surface ofCorallina officinalis their cells. Some of these corallines are articulated (right, Corallina, with flexible erect branches; others are crustose (below). These corallines have been used in bone-replacement therapies. Coralline algae were used in ancient times as vermifuges, thus the binomial Corallina officinalis.

Several red algae are eaten: best known amongst these is dulse (Palmaria palmata above) and Carrageen Moss (Chondrus crispus and Mastocarpus stellatus).

HPhymatolithon purpureumowever, Nori, popularised by the Japanese is the single most valubable marine crop grown by aquaculture with a value in excess of US$1 billion. More information on aquaculture.

The red algae Kappaphycusand Betaphycus are now the most important sources of carrageenan, a commonly used ingredient in food, particuarly yoghurts, chocolate milk and repared puddings. Gracilaria, Gelidium, Pterocladia and other red algae are used in the manufacture of the all-important agar, used widely as a growth medium for microorganisms and for biotechnological applications.

There are about 6000 described species of red algae, the vast majority of which are marine. These are found in the intertidal and in the subtidal to depths of up to 40, or occasionally, 250 m. The main biomass of red algae worldwide is provided by the Corallinaceae and Gigartinaceae.?

Source: http://www.seaweed.ie/algae/rhodophyta.html

All about Spirulina – The wonder algae

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By BundleBoy

Cyanobacteria

Spirulina is a all natural food source/supplement. Spirulina is a cynobacteria and has two distinct varieties Arthrospira platensis, and Arthrospira maxima. Arthrospira platensis is the variety found in Africa, Asia and South America and Arthrospira maxima is found in Central America.

Info: Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae is a bacteria that obtain their energy through photosynthesis.Cyanobacteria are know to have existed billions of years ago and all plants have evolved to produce sugars from sunlight (photosynthesis) learning from Cyanobacterias.

Spirulina has been widely accepted as a health food even as early as the 9th century in Chad, Africa and used extensively by the Aztecs, in South America. The Aztecs used to farm Spirulina and harvest them and make squarish cakes, later eaten as nourishing condiment.

The Aztecs harvested Spirulina off lakes by skimming the surface with ropes and then drying the algae into square cakes that would be eaten later.

Spirulina – Benefits

Fact: It grows naturally in tropical and subtropical lakes with high pH (meaning high acidity) and high concentrations of carbonate and bicarbonate. It consumes a carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxide (NO) and/or sulfur oxide (SO) and releases Oxygen (O2).
Benefit: These properties (said above) have made it useful in naturally purifying polluted water bodies like lakes and rivers in tropical regions and also systems are being developed that purify air using Spirulina. The algae used for this process have high level of toxins in them and are not suitable for human consumption.

Fact: Spirulina Alga is one of the most adaptable organisms that can grow in harshest of climates from (32 to 45 degrees C) and has even survived in temperatures of 60 degrees C.
Benefit: This algae can be heated or processed but still retains its nutritional value unlike plants and vegetables that lose most of its nutritional value when heated.

Fact: It is said to have extreme high concentrations of several nutirents needs for human body. It is said to have close to 100 nutrients. Below is a list of common nutrients found and their benefits:

Proteins: 55-77% of the weight.
Benefit: It is a complete protein with all amino acids. It is one of the richest sources of protein – 300-400% more than beef or fish. Also the proteins from the algae are absorbed 400% more easily than from beef.

Vitamins: A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, B12, C, D, E.
Benefit: Almost all required vitamins are found in this algae and not only that they are very rich in them. For example it has 900% more beta-carotene/Vitamin A than in carrots. All vitamins constitute to a very healthy well being.

Minerals: Potassium, Calcium, Chromium, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Selenium, Sodium, and Zinc.
Benefit: They also have essential minerals whose deficiency might lead to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety disorders and osteoporosis.

Essential Fatty Acids: Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), Linoleic acid (LA), Stearidonic acid (SDA), Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and Arachidonic acid (AA).
Benefit: It helps in several aspects of bosy like for good skin, treatment of Alzheimer, cancer, helps pregnant moms during and after child birth, essential for central nervous system and functioning of heart and general metabolism, high volumes of linolenic acids reduce cholesterol and prevent heart disease.

Photosynthetic Pigments: chlorophyll-a, xanthophyll, beta-carotene, echinenone, myxoxanthophyll, zeaxanthin, canthaxanthin, diatoxanthin, 3′-hydroxyechinenone, beta-cryptoxanthin, oscillaxanthin, phycobiliproteins c-phycocyanin and allophycocyanin.
Benefit: The high levels of these elements explain Spirulina algaes ability to thwart cancer colonies. It has the gift to improve your bodies natural immune system, that can help to battle cancer cells and other diseases like the common cold or HIV. Japanese have long been using Spirulina to cure/reduce effects of cancer. Russia is said to have used Spirulina to improve the immunity of children affected by radiation from Chernobyl accident.

Dosage

1 to 3 500 mg tablets or 1/2-2/3 teaspoon (one teaspoon=2300 mg approx) of Spirulina powder a day is sufficient as a supplement to regular meal.

Warning: The author does not recommend taking Spirulina as source of food with out medical advice. The extreme high levels of minerals and nutrients might lead to extreme side effects. recommends taking only this as a source of food. This might lead to adverse effects. Some crazy Spirulina weight loss diet.

Spirulina – Side Effects

  1. Due to the high concentrations of proteins the body has to work extra hard to burn them and hence produces more heat. Always drink atleast 1 litre of extra water.
  2. The new nutrient rich supplement might shock the digestive system and lead to temperary stomach aches. Always drink atleast 1 litre of extra water.
  3. Taking high doses of Spirulina might cause dizzyness.
  4. Might cause itching or burning sensation to skin.
  5. Might cause allergies.
  6. Spirulina only diet (as a food source) might lead to liver failure or even worse side effects. Always consult a doctor before going on such diets.

Spirulina is THE complete food. NASA upon testing it found 1 kg of Spirulina nutritionally equal to 1000 kgs of assorted vegetables. They have chosen to use it for astronauts as food in space, and even plans to grow and harvest it in space stations in the near future.

The United Nations Organisation (UNO) in its World Food Conference of 1974 declared Spirulina as ‘the best food for tomorrow.’ World Health Organisation (WHO) has hailed Spirulina ‘the greatest super food on earth.’ These organizations consider Spirulina as an integral part of their plans to alleviate poverty.

Spirulina in the News

  • Viruses that are natural part of human genome may retrovirus culpritNews-Medical-Net4 days agoA retrovirus that inserted itself into the human genome thousands of years ago may be responsible for some cases of the neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gherig’s disease. The finding, made by Johns Hopkins scientists, may eventually give researchers a new way to attack this universally fatal condition.
  • IIMSAM Official Dr. Naseer Homoud Elected for Two Prestigious Awards in JordanPR.com1 second agoIn a thriving development, Akhbarna news announced Dr. Naseer Homoud- IIMSAM Goodwill Ambassador and Director of its Middle East Office as elected nominee for its Man of the Year Award. Dr. Homoud also received an honor from prominent Jordanian news agency Zaid Jordan and the organization served him with Economic & Social Personality of the Year- 2010 Award. [PR.com]
  • The trouble with nature…Food Navigator Europe1 second agoAs the food industry shifts from synthetically-derived colours, past ‘natural’ ingredients to colouring foodstuffs, we highlight the challenges this is currently creating.Source: http://hubpages.com/hub/All-about-Spirulina-The-wonder-algae

Oilgae

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About Oilgae

Oilgae is the global information support resource for the algae fuels industry.

 

Started in 2007, Oilgae has today grown into one of the most well-known brands in the biofuels industry. The extent to which Oilgae and the site www.oilgae.com have influenced the algae fuels industry can be gauged by the fact that oil from algae is today generically known as Oilgae!

 

Today, Oilgae has grown into a large web resource, has a strong team of brilliant and passionate people, and is assisting hundreds of individuals and companies around the world in their efforts to produce fuels from algae.

 

The Oilgae team comprises:
  • Scientific researchers – biotechnologists, microbiologists and bio-informatics professionals
  • Renewable energy industry researchers – who have a background in analysing industry trends, technical and economic feasibilities of disruptive ideas, and Engineers.
Reports and intelligence published by Oilgae are read by the who’s-who in the biofuels industry. Our expertise is sought by the largest companies in the world. And our site, forum and blog are visited by thousands of visitors everyday.

 

Our strength lies in our objectivity. The Oilgae team members fully appreciate the magnitude of challenges faced by the algae fuels industry; at the same time, we are excited by the enormous potential offered by algae as a biofuel feedstock. Big problems do present big challenges, don’t they?
We hope to continue being a strong catalyst for the algae fuel industry. We invite you to be a part of our community by using our site, blog, forum and by becoming a member for our free newsletter.

 

Oilgae is part of Clixoo, a company with a focus on providing services and solutions for global sustainability.

 

You can contact Oilgae by sending a note to narsi@clixoo.com . To know more about our co-ordinates, please use the Contact Us page.

Thanks for wanting to know about us.

Source: http://www.oilgae.com/

Solix Biofuels Inc.

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Solix Biofuels, Inc.

Solix BiofuelsTM is the leader in production technology to cultivate algae for the production of biofuels, chemicals and other valuable products.

Solix Biofuels is the sole supplier of the AGSTM Technology—a controlled environment for cultivating oil-rich microalgae that is used for the production of biocrude, green diesel, biojet, biodiesel, methane, chemical intermediates, feed and other important products.

Solix’s AGS enables high productivity growth of microalgae with reduced risk of production failures. Solix Biofuels AGS technology is designed to be cost competitive, scalable and does not require food crop land. It provides a beneficial use for carbon as the algae need CO2 to grow. The Company intends to commercialize its AGS on a large-scale through partnerships with entities seeking to mitigate CO2 emissions, generate biofuels and algae-derived products and become part of the new energy era.

Solix Biofuels’ team of highly skilled energy industry professionals includes personnel with expertise in advanced biology, engineering, process integration and controls engineering. At Solix, our team is building a commercially viable alternative to petroleum based fuels and chemicals.

Source: http://www.solixbiofuels.com/content/company