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The same protective benefits that are of value to the seaweed plant have also found to be of potential benefit for both human and animal health. Fucoidan extracts are utilised in a range of therapeutic health care preparations, being incorporated as high value ingredients in nutritional, medical device, skincare and dermatological products.
Today, algae are used by humans in many ways; for example, as fertilizers, soil conditioners, and livestock feed. [123] Aquatic and microscopic species are cultured in clear tanks or ponds and are either harvested or used to treat effluents pumped through the ponds. Algaculture on a large scale is an important type of aquaculture in some places.
Spirulina is the dried biomass of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) that can be consumed by humans and animals. The three species are Arthrospira platensis, A. fusiformis, and A. maxima. Cultivated worldwide, Arthrospira is used as a dietary supplement or whole food. [1]
So how does algae become biodiesel? Garton explained the algae has to be grown and cultivated. Afterwards, oil must be extracted from the algae, which can be further refined and turned into biodiesel.
Algae tend to grow very quickly under high nutrient availability, but each alga is short-lived, and the result is a high concentration of dead organic matter which starts to decompose. Natural decomposers present in the water begin decomposing the dead algae, consuming dissolved oxygen present in the water during the process.
[2] [3] The three types of omega−3 fatty acids involved in human physiology are α-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). ALA can be found in plants, while DHA and EPA are found in algae and fish. Marine algae and phytoplankton are primary sources of omega−3 fatty acids. [4]
The consumption of Ascophyllum nodosum has been proven to have dental benefits in humans, [27] [28] dogs [29] [30] and cats. [30] In addition to dental benefits, A. nodosum can reduce inflammation and speed up healing, especially after a serious injury. [6] Brown algae contains fucoidans, which are sulfated, fucose-rich polymers.
The researcher behind this outlined the benefits of using this food replacement for chickens in that it improved growth and wellbeing of the chicken. While this example is not a natural one, it does outline the use of algae as a food source for domestic chickens, an important consideration in the future of both algophagy and agriculture.
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