Class Seaweeds

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•Seaweed - ancient and rootless plants

which live primarily in the sea, whose


cells contain chlorophyll.
•Sargassum seaweeds are eaten by
people, and used fish bait in basket
traps, animal feed, fertiliser, insect
repellent.
•Seaweeds have 8 times more
calcium than beef and milk.
•Seaweed helps to maintain healthy
blood pressure levels through its high
potassium content
Seaweed is a general nomenclature used for a
number of species of algae and marine plants that
breed in varied water bodies like rivers and
oceans.
They grow in a wide range of sizes from
minuscule to gigantic.
Most seaweed is medium-sized and they are
available in multiple colors like red, brown, and
green.
They can be spotted ubiquitously on the
seashores or coastlines.
Seaweeds contains a massive variety of health-
promoting components as compared to the majority of
other plant and animal-based foods available on land.
 Seaweed is a rich source of essential minerals such as
magnesium, calcium, copper, potassium, selenium, zinc,
iodine, and iron, while also containing a very low amount
of fats.
Seaweed is also a treasure trove of antioxidants,
phytonutrients and rich fiber content that is required by the
body. Vitamins present in seaweed are vitamin A, B, C, E
and K.
Seaweeds also contains omega-3 fatty acids and all the
vital amino acids necessary for the body as per the WHO &
FAO guidelines.
Source of Iodine: Seaweed is a rich source of iodine, which it
absorbs in ample amounts from the sea water. Iodine is a vital
nutrient required for proper growth for all age groups. It is
essential for the normal regulation of thyroid function, which
also involves the brain and pituitary gland.

Cancer: Seaweeds contains cancer-fighting agents that may


prove useful in curing tumors and other cancer conditions
like colon cancer and leukemia.
Obesity: Scientific research has shown that edible seaweed
possesses anti-obesity effects. The compound fucoxanthin
present in seaweed helps in reducing the accumulation of fats
and aids weight loss.
Digestive Health: Seaweed has a mild laxative effect
and is quite useful in maintaining healthy digestion. It
aids in stimulating the release of digestive enzymes,
supporting the absorption of nutrients, and facilitating the
metabolism of fats.
Diabetes: The Fucoxanthin compound present in brown
algae has been proven effective in exertinganti
-diabetic effects. Along with this, the triglyceride
absorption of seaweed Laminaria japonica, also known
as kombu, has been praised for its effect on diabetes.

Dental Health: Seaweed extracts have long been


appreciated for their preventative effect in the growth
of dental cavities.
•Anti-Coagulant: seaweed possesses antioxidant
and anti-coagulant properties.
•Anti-coagulants, also known as blood thinners,
prevent the formation of blood clots and decrease
the threat of stroke, cardiac failure, and obstruction
in the veins and arteries.
•The polysaccharides called fucoidans, which are
present in brown algae, such as Turbinaria ornate,
kelp, and bladderwrack exert this beneficial effect.
•Detoxification: Seaweed possesses the ability to
detoxify and cleanse the body and facilitates the excretion
of toxic waste.
•The binding property of the natural absorbent, alginate,
which is present in seaweed, makes toxic materials,
including heavy metals like lead, mercury, and other
pollutants indigestible and eliminated them from the body
through bowel movements.

•Influenza: Seaweed possesses anti-viral properties that


have been proven promising in providing a protective
effect against Influenza B virus.
•Seaweed extracts obstruct the absorption of harmful
viral particles in the cells and prevents the body from
getting infected.
Cardiovascular Health: Seaweed has been useful in
sustaining lower levels of triglycerides and cholesterol in
the body. This helps in maintaining a healthy heart,
smooth circulation in the blood vessels, and prevents
fatal conditions like heart failure, atherosclerosis, and
peripheral artery ailments.
Radiation Poisoning: Seaweed has the ability to
protect the skin from damage caused by exposure to
ultraviolet B radiation from sunlight. This defensive
effect can be attributed to the presence of fucoxanthin in
the seaweed.
Healthier Skin: The wealth of essential vitamins,
minerals, amino acids and antioxidants in seaweed
helps in keeping the skin revitalized, moisturized, and
youthful.
Hair Care: The high mineral content of seaweed also
helps in maintaining healthy hair. They help in
strengthening the roots and shafts of hair follicles and
make them thick and lustrous. Due to this beneficial
effect, seaweed has been proven valuable in the
manufacturing of shampoos and hair creams.

The largest of the green algae, Ulva (sea lettuce), grows to


a ribbon or sheet 3 ft (91 cm) long. It provides food for
many sea creatures, and its broad surface releases a large
amount of oxygen.
•While most seaweeds are soft and fleshy, a
large number of particularly red seaweeds are
hard as rock.
•These hard red seaweeds, commonly known as
coralline algae, deposit lime into their cell
walls.
•Seaweed is considered algae, not a plant.
However, like plants, seaweed depends on
sunlight to create energy through
photosynthesis.
•Seaweed is an organic fertilizer: Due to its
high mineral content, seaweed was traditionally
used as a fertilizer
Coralline algae
Red seaweed
Green seaweed
Sweets made with Agar
Porphyra
Kelp
Codium fragile
Seaweed on rocks
Sargassum bloom over a reef
Reproduction in Seaweeds

Seaweeds reproduce in a variety of ways. Lower


types reproduce asexually. More advanced kinds
produce motile zoospores that swim off, anchor
themselves, and grow into new individuals.

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