- Gracilaria, seaweeds, culture, medicinal, nutraceutical.
Abstract
For decades, seaweed has been of biological, industrial, and pharmaceutical importance. Because of their nutraceutical potential, seaweed has been used as a food throughout Asia. Traditional Chinese medicine used aqueous hot extracts of certain seaweeds in the treatment of cancer. Further, the Japanese and Chinese
cultures have used seaweeds to treat goiter and other glandular problems since 300 BC. The Romans used seaweeds in the treatment of wounds, burns, and rashes. The Celts noted that ordinary seaweed contracted as it dried and then expanded with moisture. In Scotland during the 18th century, physicians used dried seaweed stem to successfully drain abdominal wall abscesses. They also inserted seaweed into the cervix in an attempt to treat dysmenorrhea. Many reports outline the use of seaweed to induce abortion. Seaweed was employed intravaginally for ripening of the cervix and was used rectally for strictures. In this juncture, culture and therapeutic potential of Gracilaria was reviewed. Gracilaria is a genus of red algae notable for its economic importance as an agarophyte, as well as its use as a food for humans and various species of shellfish. Various species within the genus are cultivated among Asia, South America, Africa and Oceania. Gracilaria is used as a food in Japanese, Hawaiian, and Filipino cuisine. In Japanese cuisine, it is called ogonori or ogo. In thePhilippines, it is called gulaman and used to make gelatin. In Jamaica, it is known as Irish moss. The moisture content is 12% and protein is 8%. The species are used by local people as salad, preparation of various curries and industrially many by products are synthesized from this sea weed. Medicinally as microbicidal, antiinflammatory, antimetastatic and immuno modulatory potential.