related technology and techniques, including not only the DNA handling methods
that are fundamental to genetic manipulation but also hosts and vector lines, vector
introduction methods, selection methods for transformed cells, and
post-transformation cell management methods.
Future developments are anticipated in farming technology (using biotechnology
to improve the genetic traits of useful seaweeds as desired for food production) and
research on the production of energy and useful substances with seaweed biomass,
specifically through the artificial formation of seaweed beds. Wide-ranging basic to
applied research will be required on the use of cell fusion or genetic manipulation to
produce seaweeds that can be put to use for human welfare, including highly
productive and highly disease-resistant varieties and those that can serve as especially productive sources for certain useful substances.
6.8 Industrial Applications of Seaweeds
6.8.1 General Composition of Seaweeds
Table 6.7 shows the general combination of leading green, brown, and red algae.
As it indicates, while the organisms consist of roughly 60–90% water, the
remaining components once water is removed consist mostly of carbohydrates.
Sugars in particular are the most important component, typically accounting for
50% of dry matter.
After carbohydrates, the next largest component is ash, which accounts for as
much as 40%, although considerable variation can be seen among species. Proteins
are relatively scarce, accounting for 15% or less of dry matter, although they may
exceed 20% in green and red algae. Protein content is especially high in the
freshwater green algae freshwater sea lattus Prasiola japonica (31%) and in the red
alga Porphyra yezoensis (around 40%). Lipid content is quite low: for many green
and red algae it is less than 1%, although it is slightly higher in brown algae.
The constituents of seaweeds are strongly influence by a variety of factors,
including not only physical and chemical conditions of ambient water such as
temperature and nutrient salts but also sunlight, seasonal conditions, growth environment, and the different parts of the seaweed.
Because seaweeds grow in water, they may absorb dissolved substances from
that water, and they may use the accumulated substances to synthesize necessary
components. As such, they are subject to influence by the physical and chemical
properties of ambient water. Moreover, the basal metabolism of seaweeds is photosynthesis, which means that amount of sunlight is also a large influence.
Seasonal changes in the general composition of seaweeds are not only subject to
effects from seasonal fluctuations in ambient water, but also closely related to
internal factors stemming from the seaweed’s growth and reproductive cycle (Ito
and Hori 1989; Marinho-Soriano et al. 2006; Manivannan et al. 2008; Gosch et al.
2012).
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6 Seaweed Biotechnology
that are fundamental to genetic manipulation but also hosts and vector lines, vector
introduction methods, selection methods for transformed cells, and
post-transformation cell management methods.
Future developments are anticipated in farming technology (using biotechnology
to improve the genetic traits of useful seaweeds as desired for food production) and
research on the production of energy and useful substances with seaweed biomass,
specifically through the artificial formation of seaweed beds. Wide-ranging basic to
applied research will be required on the use of cell fusion or genetic manipulation to
produce seaweeds that can be put to use for human welfare, including highly
productive and highly disease-resistant varieties and those that can serve as especially productive sources for certain useful substances.
6.8 Industrial Applications of Seaweeds
6.8.1 General Composition of Seaweeds
Table 6.7 shows the general combination of leading green, brown, and red algae.
As it indicates, while the organisms consist of roughly 60–90% water, the
remaining components once water is removed consist mostly of carbohydrates.
Sugars in particular are the most important component, typically accounting for
50% of dry matter.
After carbohydrates, the next largest component is ash, which accounts for as
much as 40%, although considerable variation can be seen among species. Proteins
are relatively scarce, accounting for 15% or less of dry matter, although they may
exceed 20% in green and red algae. Protein content is especially high in the
freshwater green algae freshwater sea lattus Prasiola japonica (31%) and in the red
alga Porphyra yezoensis (around 40%). Lipid content is quite low: for many green
and red algae it is less than 1%, although it is slightly higher in brown algae.
The constituents of seaweeds are strongly influence by a variety of factors,
including not only physical and chemical conditions of ambient water such as
temperature and nutrient salts but also sunlight, seasonal conditions, growth environment, and the different parts of the seaweed.
Because seaweeds grow in water, they may absorb dissolved substances from
that water, and they may use the accumulated substances to synthesize necessary
components. As such, they are subject to influence by the physical and chemical
properties of ambient water. Moreover, the basal metabolism of seaweeds is photosynthesis, which means that amount of sunlight is also a large influence.
Seasonal changes in the general composition of seaweeds are not only subject to
effects from seasonal fluctuations in ambient water, but also closely related to
internal factors stemming from the seaweed’s growth and reproductive cycle (Ito
and Hori 1989; Marinho-Soriano et al. 2006; Manivannan et al. 2008; Gosch et al.
2012).
166
6 Seaweed Biotechnology