Seaweed Biotechnology

Seaweeds are known for their rich bioactive compounds, which promote health in human beings and are good for the ecosystem as well. They are also natural resources that are a major source of raw material for different industries. There are still undiscovered and unexploited compounds synthesized by seaweeds that may have potential applications in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, food, and cosmetics industries. This book serves as a comprehensive knowledge source for the predominant roles of seaweeds in various sectors, particularly in the areas of health, environment, and agriculture. It explores the diverse biodiversity aspects of seaweeds and their derivatives. The book critically reviews the present industrial challenges to investigate the novel compounds synthesized by seaweeds and their unique characteristics and benefits. The volume covers the various biodiversity attributes of tropical seaweeds, their cultivation and bioactive compounds, and the diverse agricultural and biomedical applications of new seaweed derivatives. The authors also discuss the current challenges, emerging markets, and latest developments in extracting the useful biomolecules from seaweeds as well as the role of seaweeds in food security and environmental mitigation. With chapters written by experts and professionals in the field, this volume, Seaweed Biotechnology: Biodiversity and Biotechnology of Seaweeds and Their Applications, provides a deep understanding of the biodiversity of seaweeds around the world and their industrial, biomedical, and environmental applications.

Past efforts to colonize the environment and domesticate living species, coupled with scientific research, have resulted in the possession (but not always the real control) by humans of any available terrestrial space. However, oceans, which represent up to two thirds of the surface of the planet, had not been really approached until the middle of this century. As oceanographic science develops, the picture of a rich, diverse, complex and also, in many respects, specific marine life, is coming into view. In a broad sense, marine biotechnologies can be understood as the various means or techniques of managing marine living systems for the benefit of mankind. The first goal we have is for marine life to provide biomass for food. However, today it is not certain that a significant increase of total world fisheries' catches will be possible in the future. There are several ways to address this. First, we need to generate better, more complete, or different uses of the biomass actually fished. This is mainly a matter of upgrading fish and fish wastes. Second, we need to artificially grow the living species. This falls within the scope of cell cultivation and of aquaculture. Both approaches have to be appreciated si multaneously in terms of biology, ecology, and economy. In both approaches, profit improvements are linked to the introduction of biotechnological methods and to the use of biotechnological processes.

A rewritten and re-organised edition of The Physiological Ecology of Seaweeds (1985). Seaweed Ecology and Physiology surveys the broad literature, but it is not merely an update of the earlier book. This book contains an introductory chapter reviewing seaweed morphology, cytology, and life histories. The chapter on community level ecology now includes six guest essays by senior algal ecologists which conveys the excitement of phycological research. The treatment of tropical seaweeds had been expanded, reflecting the growing literature from tropical regions, and the authors' experiences in the tropics. The final chapter on mariculture is much larger, and includes a case study on how principles of physiological ecology were applied in developing the carrageenan industry. Finally there is an appendix summarising the taxonomic position and nomenclature of the species mentioned in the book.

A keystone reference that presents both up-to-date research and the far-reaching applications of marine biotechnology Featuring contributions from 100 international experts in the field, this five-volume encyclopedia provides comprehensive coverage of topics in marine biotechnology. It starts with the history of the field and delivers a complete overview of marine biotechnology. It then offers information on marine organisms, bioprocess techniques, marine natural products, biomaterials, bioenergy, and algal biotechnology. The encyclopedia also covers marine food and biotechnology applications in areas such as pharmaceuticals, cosmeceuticals, and nutraceuticals. Each topic in Encyclopedia of Marine Biotechnology is followed by 10-30 subtopics. The reference looks at algae cosmetics, drugs, and fertilizers; biodiversity; chitins and chitosans; aeroplysinin-1, toluquinol, astaxanthin, and fucoxanthin; and algal and fish genomics. It examines neuro-protective compounds from marine microorganisms; potential uses and medical management of neurotoxic phycotoxins; and the role of metagenomics in exploring marine microbiomes. Other sections fully explore marine microbiology, pharmaceutical development, seafood science, and the new biotechnology tools that are being used in the field today. One of the first encyclopedic books to cater to experts in marine biotechnology Brings together a diverse range of research on marine biotechnology to bridge the gap between scientific research and the industrial arena Offers clear explanations accompanied by color illustrations of the techniques and applications discussed Contains studies of the applications of marine biotechnology in the field of biomedical sciences Edited by an experienced author with contributions from internationally recognized experts from around the globe Encyclopedia of Marine Biotechnology is a must-have resource for researchers, scientists, and marine biologists in the industry, as well as for students at the postgraduate and graduate level. It will also benefit companies focusing on marine biotechnology, pharmaceutical and biotechnology, and bioenergy.

Seaweeds, or marine macro-algae, are known as plants growing on the seashore, in salt marshes, in brackish waters, or in the ocean. Many species of seaweeds have shown an important utilization for the improvement of plant growth since ancient times, and this positive impact is due to their richness in diverse compounds like lipids, proteins, phyto-hormones, amino acids, antimicrobial compounds and different minerals. Other aspects of various seaweed application had been developed more recently for plant growth and health stimulation: seed germination improvement, shoot and root development, increase in water and nutrient uptake/resistance, phytoremediation and elimination of contaminated soil, and fertilization. Additionally, the use of marine algae is not limited to agriculture, and it also applies to the pharmaceutical industry (drugs) and other cosmetics. It is well documented that seaweeds are widely used as a source of food in many countries. It is very important to underline that the biotechnological utilization of seaweeds becomes undeniable in our time, because their richness and diversity can provide humans and animals a continuous food source devoid of pollutants, unlike chemical substances destroying the environment. For this reason, many experiments and reports concerning the diversity, ecology, chemical composition, function and other diverse characteristics of seaweed were carried out, and scientists still continue to investigate the impact this type of aquatic plant has on life on Earth.

This textbook introduces marine biotechnology by collecting the key knowledge on genetics, fish breeding, genetic diversity, seaweed production and microalgae biotechnology, and explores marine biomaterials and how they can benefit human health. Covering the latest applications of marine biotechnology in natural product development, genomics, transgenic technology, cosmeceuticals, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceutical development, it particularly focuses on future biological resources, developing functional materials from marine life, production of marine bioenergy and marine microbial resources and biotechnology. The author explains the structure of the book in an introductory note, and each chapter offers a detailed overview and conclusion to help readers better grasp the acquired knowledge. Lastly, the final part provides a comprehensive glossary with brief explanations of the key concepts in marine biotechnology. Written by a leading expert in the field with more than 30 years of teaching experience, this book broadens students’ understanding of the basics and recent developments in marine biotechnology.

The Handbook of Macroalgae: Biotechnology and Applied Phycology describes the biological, biotechnological and the industrial applications of seaweeds. Vast research into the cultivation of seaweeds is currently being undertaken but there is a lack of methodological strategies in place to develop novel drugs from these sources. This book aims to rectify this situation, providing an important review of recent advances and potential new applications for macroalgae. Focusing on the chemical and structural nature of seaweeds the book brings the potentially valuable bioactive nature to the fore. Novel compounds isolated from seaweeds are reviewed to provide an invaluable reference for anyone working in the field.

Presents information that can be useful to facilitate the aquaculture of a wide variety of food species. Operation of an economically successful aquaculture venture depends upon the complete life cycle of a species occurring in captivity. Possible solutions to how such complete control of life cycles of important food organisms might be accomplished are presented in each chapter. Whereas this volume (Part A) deals with Seaweeds and Invertebrates, a compendium volume (Part B) deals with Fishes.