Brown algae, like red algae, almost always live in seas and oceans, that is, in salty waters. All of them are multicellular. Brown algae have the largest representatives of all algae. Mostly brown algae grow at shallow depths (up to 20 m), although there are species that can live at depths of up to 100 m. In the seas and oceans they form peculiar thickets. Most brown algae live in subpolar and temperate latitudes. However, there are also those that grow in warm waters.
Brown algae, like green algae, are capable of photosynthesis, that is, their cells contain the green pigment chlorophyll. However, they also have many other pigments that have yellow, brown, and orange colors. These pigments “interrupt” the green color of the plant, giving it a brownish tint.
As you know, all algae belong to lower plants. Their body is called a thallus, or thallus; there are no real tissues or organs. However, in a number of brown algae, the body is divided into organs, and different tissues can be distinguished.
Some species of brown algae have a complexly dissected thallus more than 10 m in length.
The vast majority of brown algae attach to underwater objects. They do this with the help of rhizoids or so-called basal disks.
Brown algae exhibit different types of growth. Some species grow from their apex, in others all the cells of the thallus retain the ability to divide, in others the surface cells divide, in others there are special zones of cells in the body, the division of which leads to the growth of tissues above and below them.
The cell walls of brown algae consist of an inner cellulose layer and an outer gelatinous layer, which includes various substances (salts, proteins, carbohydrates, etc.).
Cells have one nucleus and many small disc-shaped chloroplasts. Chloroplasts differ in structure from the chloroplasts of higher plants.
As a reserve nutrient, it is not starch that is deposited in the cells of brown algae, but another polysaccharide and one of the alcohols. The cells contain vacuoles with polyphenolic compounds.
Brown algae have both sexual and asexual reproduction. They can reproduce by fragmenting their thallus; some species form brood buds. Asexual reproduction is also carried out by spores produced in sporangia. Most often, spores are motile (have flagella), that is, they are zoospores. The spores give rise to a gametophyte, which forms sex cells, the fusion of which gives rise to the sporophyte. Thus, alternation of generations is observed in brown algae. However, in other species, gametes are formed by the sporophyte, that is, the haploid stage is represented only by eggs and sperm.
It has been noted that brown algae release pheromones, which stimulate the release of sperm and their movement towards eggs.
The most famous representative of brown algae is kelp, which people eat, calling it seaweed. It has rhizoids with which it attaches to underwater objects (stones, rocks, etc.). Laminaria has something like a stem (stem), this part of the plant is not flat, but cylindrical. The length of the stem is up to half a meter, and similar flat leaf plates extend from it (each several meters long).
Brown algae is not only used by humans for food, it is used in the food and textile industries, and some medicines are made from it.
Algae are powerful sources of oxygen supply to the atmosphere and absorbers of carbon dioxide; they serve as food for many species of animals, including humans. Seaweed creates cozy habitats for fish and sea animals. Some red algae are a delicacy in eastern countries. Various dishes are prepared from them, and the valuable substance agar-agar is obtained, used in the food industry. Algae are also used in cosmetology, medicine, as fertilizers and for water purification in sewers. If brown algae is added to livestock feed, in particular cows, the milk will be enriched with valuable iodine and many useful minerals. Chicken eggs are also enriched with iodine in the same way. The shells of ancient diatoms are in great demand in industry. They are used in construction (very light bricks are made from diatomite), for the manufacture of glass, filters, and polishing materials.
It is believed that algae are primitive organisms, because... They do not have complex organs and tissues, and there are no blood vessels. But in terms of physiological processes, in the way they grow, reproduce, and feed, they are very similar to plants. Algae are divided into ecological groups. For example, planktonic algae living in the water column. Neuston - settling on the surface of the water and moving there. Benthic - organisms that live on the bottom and on objects (including living organisms). Terrestrial algae. Algae living in the soil. Also inhabitants of hot springs, snow and ice. Algae that live in salt water and fresh water. As well as algae that live in calcareous environments.
Sometimes algae choose very unusual (from a human point of view) places. In the tropics, they can take up residence in tea leaves, causing a tea bush disease called tea rust. In mid-latitudes they live on the bark of trees. It looks like a green coating on the north side of the trees. Green algae enter into mutually beneficial coexistence with fungi, resulting in the appearance of a special independent organism called lichen. Some green algae have chosen a turtle shell for their home. Many algae live on the surface and inside their larger counterparts. Red and green algae are found in the hair follicles of the tropical animal sloths. They did not ignore crustaceans and fish, coelenterates and flatworms.
Calorie content of algae
Low-calorie product, 100 g of which contains only 25 kcal. It is important to consume only dried seaweed in moderation, the energy value of which is 306 kcal per 100 g. They contain a high percentage of carbohydrates, which can lead to obesity.
Beneficial properties of algae
Biologists and doctors confidently declare that algae are superior to all other plant species in terms of the content of active substances.
Seaweed has antitumor properties.
Numerous legends about them have been preserved in the chronicles of different peoples. Seaweed was used not only as an excellent food product, but also as an effective means for the prevention and treatment of various diseases.
Already in ancient China, seaweed was used to treat malignant tumors. In India, seaweed was used as an effective remedy in the fight against certain diseases of the endocrine glands. In ancient times, in the harsh conditions of the Far North, Pomors treated various diseases with algae, and also used them as practically the only source of vitamins.
The qualitative and quantitative content of macro- and microelements in seaweed resembles the composition of human blood, and also allows us to consider seaweed as a balanced source of saturating the body with minerals and microelements.
Seaweeds contain a number of substances with biological activity: lipids rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids; chlorophyll derivatives; polysaccharides: sulfated galactans, fucoidans, glucans, pectins, alginic acid, as well as lignins, which are a valuable source of dietary fiber; phenolic compounds; enzymes; plant sterols, vitamins, carotenoids, macro- and microelements. As for individual vitamins, microelements and iodine, there are more of them in seaweed than in other products.
Brown algae thalli contain vitamins, microelements (30), amino acids, mucus, polysaccharides, alginic acids, stearic acid. Minerals absorbed from water by brown algae in large quantities are in an organic colloidal state, and can be freely and quickly absorbed by the human body. They are very rich in iodine, most of which is in the form of iodides and organiodine compounds. Brown algae are rich in mannuronic acid and produce high-viscosity alginates and mannitol, which is a hexahydric alcohol and is widely used in medicine and cosmetology. Ascophyllum has a protective effect on skin tissue thanks to macromolecules called fucoidan (widely used in thalassotherapy). Macrocystis extract contains allantoin.
Kelp is an excellent source of natural organic iodine. Iodine is an essential trace element for humans. Iodine is necessary for the synthesis of thyroid hormones, which control the development and functioning of the brain and nervous system and maintain normal body temperature. Low levels of these hormones can negatively affect both a person's physical condition and intellectual abilities. Iodine is also necessary for normal mental development, especially in early childhood. When using iodine, blood cholesterol levels decrease in patients with atherosclerosis. Food with sufficient iodine content increases life expectancy. Algin from brown algae adsorbs most toxic substances from the gastrointestinal tract and reduces cholesterol levels, so iodine has proven itself in the treatment of obesity and atherosclerosis.
Brown algae have antibacterial properties due to the presence of bromophenol and phloroglycinol. Due to the high content of polyphenols, brown algae have an anti-radiation effect. Brown algae helps remove toxins, radionuclides and heavy metal salts from the intestines, helps with nervous disorders, and reduces symptoms premenstrual syndrome, normalize heart function, improve the general condition of the body. Brown algae slows down the development of atherosclerosis and reduces cholesterol in the blood. Polysaccharides contained in brown algae have the property of swelling and, having increased in volume, irritate the nerve endings of the intestinal mucosa, which stimulates intestinal motility and promotes its cleansing. Polysaccharides also bind toxins and remove them from the body.
Brown algae contains a bromophenol compound that has an effect on pathogenic microorganisms, especially bacteria. Brown algae contains a large amount of macro- and microelements necessary for humans (iron, sodium, calcium, magnesium, barium, potassium, sulfur, etc.), and in the most accessible chelate form. Brown algae has a number of physiological properties: it affects the contractility of the heart muscle, has antithrombotic activity, prevents the development of rickets, osteoporosis, dental caries, brittle nails and hair, and has a general strengthening effect on the body. As a product of the sea, brown algae contains those natural elements that are found in small quantities in vegetables. Brown algae helps the immune and endocrine systems resist stress, prevent diseases, improve digestion, metabolism and overall well-being.
Dangerous properties of algae
The consumption of seaweed is contraindicated for people who are allergic to seafood or iodine. Pregnant women are advised to consume seaweed with caution, as excess iodine can harm the fetus. Sea kale is contraindicated for people with kidney disease, since the increased iodine content in this product can provoke an exacerbation of the disease.
It is also not recommended to eat algae for people suffering from hemorrhagic diathesis, furunculosis or acne, diseases of the digestive system due to the high iodine content.
People who have a disrupted endocrine system should always consult a doctor before eating such foods, since iodine has a direct effect on the thyroid gland.
Video about which algae are the healthiest and how to choose them. And also – what recipes do celebrities make from them?
Various natural dietary supplements, especially from seaweed, are currently becoming increasingly popular. In the article we will look at what brown algae is, how they are useful, what their features are, and how they are used.
general characteristics
Brown algae are multicellular spore-bearing plants that come in a huge variety of shapes and sizes. They prefer deep seas with rocky bottoms. They do not have a root system and are fixed to the surface with the help of powerful stems. They get all the nutrients they need for growth and reproduction from water.
They got their name from the brown pigment fucoxanthin., contained in chromatophores, which has the ability to outshine other color pigments - xanthophyll, chlorophyll and others.
They should not be confused with red algae (purple algae) - this is another group of plants that are close relatives of brown algae, and they have quite a lot of differences.
It should be noted that chlorella does not belong to this type of plant; it is a single-celled algae that grows in freshwater bodies.
Types and their differences
There are about 250 genera and more than one and a half thousand species of this large family, of which only eight can live in fresh water, the rest are marine inhabitants. The most famous representatives are kelp, sargassum, cystoseira, fucus.
There are three classes of these plants - Aplanosporophyceae, Phaeosporophyceae and Cyclosporophyceae. The first class includes dictyote algae, the second class includes heterogenerate and isogenerate algae, minus the dictyote algae, and the third class includes cyclosporaceae.
Classification is also carried out according to the structure of cells, their ability to group, and also according to the methods of organizing reproduction. Higher brown algae in their structure are very close to land plants, which is not surprising, since they are the progenitors of the entire plant world on land.
Compound
Brown algae contains a huge amount of different biologically active substances - vitamins A, C, D, E, K, P, PP, group B, macro- and microelements such as Ca, I, K, Mg, Na, Br, Cl, Se and others. The cells of these plants also contain compounds such as fucoidan, mannitol, fucosan, and algin.
The chemical composition of brown algae is similar to that of human blood. And it should also be noted that the micro- and macroelements contained in brown algae are in the form of organic compounds, which are much easier and faster absorbed by the body than synthetic multivitamin supplements.
The energy value of these representatives of the plant world is very low - on average approximately 43 kcal per 100 g, which makes them a desirable component for any diet. The BJU indicator for them is 1.7: 0.6: 8.3.
Benefits and harms
Due to the high iodine content, brown algae normalizes the activity of the thyroid gland and has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the brain.
Brown algae contains almost 70 elements periodic table, making them an indispensable source of nutrition for our cells.
Mannitol, one of the polysaccharides that make up these plants, has a pronounced choleretic effect.
Salts of alginic acid and fucoidan contained in these plants have the ability to neutralize the harmful effects of penetrating radiation and ultraviolet radiation, forming water-insoluble salts with heavy metal ions and radionuclides and removing them from the body naturally (diuretic effect).
There is also a strong antiviral effect from eating algae - in particular, fucoidan, contained in the cells of these wonderful plants, has the ability to prevent the transformation of normal body cells into malignant ones and is very effective in complex therapy for the treatment of hepatitis B.
This substance also has the ability to enhance regeneration at the cellular level and strengthen the immune system.
There are no direct contraindications to the use of sea brown and red algae, but if you have problems with the stomach (gastritis or ulcer), kidneys or thyroid gland, consult your doctor before consuming a food product or dietary supplement that contains brown algae. Consultation is also required in case of pregnancy, lactation or children under 12 years of age.
Application options
These sea creatures have a very specific taste, which is why quite a few people like to include them in their diet. Therefore, nowadays you can increasingly see capsules and tablets with brown algae (kelp) extract on the shelves of stores and pharmacies. Cosmetic oil is also produced in the form of an extract.
In many Asian cuisines, types of brown seaweed such as wakame, kombu, arame, hijiki, and lima are eaten. They are not only added to salads, stewed with vegetables, added to soups and other dishes as spices, but also well-known rolls and sushi are made from them.
The alginic acid found in these “natural health stores” is used as a leavening and filling agent in baked goods, cocoa powder, coffee, ice cream and more.
Dried and crushed seaweed successfully replaces salt.
And algae is also used as animal feed and natural fertilizers for the land.
Possibly industrial application these natural storehouses - with their help they hope to obtain a cheap and, most importantly, renewable source of fuel.
In medicine
Effective remedies for rheumatism, headaches and diabetes are also obtained from sea brown algae.
These beneficial plants also have the ability to:
- normalize metabolism;
- remove waste and toxins from the body;
- improve blood circulation;
- regulate blood sugar (glucose) levels;
- have a diuretic effect;
- reduce blood clotting rates and prevent thrombus formation;
- reduce the content of bad cholesterol, thereby serving as a preventative against vascular atherosclerosis;
- has a beneficial effect on the osteochondral system.
Ascophylla, one of the representatives of this large family, is used to obtain antibacterial protection for the epidermis.
Laminaria extract is also produced in the form of a food gel, which is quickly absorbed by the body and retains the largest amount of useful substances. It is also possible not to use this gel internally, but in the form of lotions, applications and compresses on rheumatic joints or places where blood vessels protrude strongly (varicose veins).
In cosmetology
Seaweed is also actively used in cosmetology; it is added to various creams and masks for the body and face, used for the now popular body wrap, in the complex fight against cellulite, and more.
Kelp oil is also used to combat dandruff, in the case of oily and excessively brittle hair, to improve hair growth - because its extract has a beneficial effect on blood circulation in the scalp and strengthens hair follicles. To nourish your hair, you can simply rinse clean hair with seaweed infusion (brew 2 teaspoons of dry product per 1 liter of water, leave for an hour, strain and use).
Fresh seaweed wraps are practiced to get rid of cellulite and overall health and rejuvenation of the skin. And also for this purpose, a paste of crushed dried product diluted with water is rubbed into problem areas.
Omega-3 fatty acids, found in large quantities in brown algae, can restore collagen in the epidermis, which, in turn, increases the tone and elasticity of our skin. To soften it, smooth out wrinkles and nourish it with useful substances, make a mask from a dry product diluted with water in a ratio of 1:1. If the skin is dry, add a spoonful of oil - olive or burdock. It is also possible to vary the composition of such masks by adding honey, eggs, clay and other components.
And you can also take baths with the addition of kelp and fucus oil extract.
Since ancient times, brown algae have been of great importance in human life, especially for residents of the sea coast. Fishermen and sailors stuffed mattresses with dried seaweed and built fires for warmth. The fish were wrapped fresh to bake in the coals, used as seasonings and simply eaten.
In the 18th century, dry seaweed was burned to produce soda ash, necessary for the production of glass and building materials.
Scientists from the University of Manchester said that algae can influence cloud formation in coastal regions.
And also in the USA there is a project for growing brown algae Macrocystis pyrifera for the purpose of methane production.
Seaweed, particularly kelp, is a natural food rich in nutrients needed by humans and animals. Minerals absorbed from water in large quantities are in an organic colloidal state and can be freely and quickly absorbed by the human body.
Beneficial properties of brown seaweed
Brown algae grows in the ocean, which has the botanical name Macrocystis Pyrifera. It is often considered a sea vegetable and used as a dietary supplement. It grows luxuriantly at a depth of six to ten fathoms (a fathom is equal to six feet, which is 182 cm) in places with a rocky bottom; it has no roots, it is attached to the rocks by means of rope-like strands (stems); the only nutrient medium for it is water.
This is one of the most large plants, reaching a length of 700 feet and growing 50 feet per year. Each plant consists of parts resembling a trunk or stem, flanked on either side by large, single lance-shaped leaves and roots called petiole, rhizoids and blades. The plates are arranged in alternating rows of six to eight or more; each plate is attached to the plant trunk using a buoy or float. The olive-brown plates are distinctly and asymmetrically wavy and bordered by one row of short, soft spines.
Seaweed, particularly kelp, is a natural food rich in nutrients needed by humans and animals. Minerals absorbed from water in large quantities are in an organic colloidal state and can be freely and quickly absorbed by the human body.
Previously, most people ate fish and crustaceans - representatives of the vast reserves of the sea. The populations of coastal countries such as Japan (the Japanese collect six or seven different types of seaweed, storing it for later consumption) and Ireland consumed large quantities of edible seaweed. It should be noted that against the background of such a diet, some deficiency diseases were extremely rare or completely absent among these peoples.
Brown algae (fucus vesiculosa) and other marine plants (such as red algae) are rich in iodine, which is necessary for the normal functioning of the thyroid gland (which controls the body's metabolic processes). According to the World Health Organization, more than 1.5 billion people worldwide are at risk of thyroid disease, often due to iodine deficiency. Too much iodine is also harmful to health.
Fucus algae. What's the benefit?
Fucus is a marine brown algae. It is also called “sea grape”, “sea oak”, “king algae”. Three types of fucus are especially important - “toothed fucus”, “bilateral fucus” and “vesicular fucus”.
Fucus is a northern algae growing in the White Sea. This seaweed is more beneficial than tasty, so it is usually used as a supplement. Fucus contains the entire spectrum of vitamins (A, B1, B2, B3, B12, C, D3, E, K, F, H), rare microelements (iodine, selenium, barium, zinc, magnesium, sulfur and 36 more elements) , folic and pantothenic acids, polysaccharides, amino acids, polyunsaturated acids of the Omega-3 type.
One of the main components of this algae is fucoidan. Fucoidan has antiviral (including against HIV infection), antitumor, and immunoregulatory effects.
Chemical composition of fucus
The chemical composition of fucus is considered unique, as it is almost identical to the composition of the tissues of the human body and blood plasma. This algae is a source of a complete and balanced set of micro- and macroelements (magnesium, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, sulfur, iron, bromine, iodine and others), vitamins (A, B vitamins - B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, E, K, PP, folic, pantothenic acids and others). The composition also contains alginic acid, its salts, fucosterol, fucoidan, caraginine.
Thanks to its composition, fucus is superior in quality to many natural products! For example, 10 g of fucus (dry) contains the same amount of vitamin D as 10 kg of apricots, iodine - as much as 11 kg of cod, iron - as much as 1 kg of spinach, vitamin A - as 100 grams of carrots.
In addition, fucus algae is low in calories (the energy value of 100 grams of fucus is only 123 kcal).
Useful properties of fucus:
- has an antiseptic effect;
- promotes the removal of radionuclides and heavy metals from the body;
- increases immunity;
- has antiviral, antimicrobial effects;
- normalizes different kinds metabolism (lipid and purine metabolism);
- prevents thrombosis;
- helps with rheumatism, hypertension, atherosclerosis, etc.
- effectively fights fat deposits and reduces cholesterol levels.
- removes unnecessary elements and toxins from the body.
Poor environment, unbalanced diet, stress, etc. negatively affect our health. The human body is literally working to the limit. To normalize proper metabolism and eliminate various wastes and toxins, people need additional support. Fucus in its easily digestible form perfectly helps the body to compensate for the deficiency of the elements it needs.
For a long time people have paid attention to special healing properties fucus algae. It is mined in environmentally friendly waters White Sea. One of the amazing properties of algae is its immunity to pollution from petrochemicals.
Kelp
The most famous algae in Russia is kelp or seaweed. In Soviet times, pyramids of cheap canned seaweed salad towered in every store. Against the backdrop of a shortage of other products, citizens of the USSR developed both hostility and respect for an accessible but specific product. Perhaps everyone knew seaweed salad, but only a few loved it.
Canning significantly changes the taste of seaweed and reduces the content of vitamins and minerals, so you should pay attention to dried or fresh seaweed. For cooking, seaweed is usually boiled (this does not apply to ready-made or canned cabbage). Take 1 part seaweed to 5 parts water, add a little salt and boil for a few minutes.
The kelp algae family has about 30 species. In the far east of Russia, sea kale grows in large quantities. In some countries (Japan, China and Korea), kelp is grown specifically. By the way, the Sea of Okhotsk is considered the best place in the world for the production of these algae. During the reign of Emperor Kann-Si in the Mukden province, goiter began to spread greatly among the population. Kann-Si, on the advice of Chinese scientists, issued an order obliging every resident of the Mukden province to systematically eat at least 5 pounds of dry kelp throughout the year.
Laminaria algae, or seaweed, has been widely used for both medicinal and food purposes in eastern countries since ancient times. In China, there are more than 300 types of dishes and food products prepared from seaweed or with its addition. In Japan, work is underway to cultivate kelp as a promising source of protein, mannitol, and alginic acid.
Due to the unique chemical composition and properties of individual components, seaweed has recently become the focus of scientific attention. It has been scientifically proven that systematic consumption of seaweed in small doses improves metabolism in the body and increases its tone. According to Japanese scientists, kelp algae contains special substances that strengthen the roots of human hair. Brown kelp algae contains a complex of biologically active substances: carbohydrates - 59%, proteins - 13%, fiber - 11%, fats - 2%, mineral salts - 3%, moisture - 12%.
Scientists have long been intrigued by the antitumor properties of algae. Interesting developments are being carried out by Japanese scientists from Kyoto University. They found that brown seaweed extract could prevent the growth of tumors. It is believed that the active component is a complex of polysaccharides, which has a stimulating effect on the immune system. In addition, kelp contains carbohydrates: mannitol - very useful in weakening intestinal motility; laminarin is a source of glucose; alginic acid (polymer of d-mannuric acid) and its salts (alginates).
The results of clinical trials of alginate-containing products have shown an undoubted therapeutic effect in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. The use of alginates as components of food products is effective against intoxication of the body. It has been established that alginates are able to adsorb and remove heavy metals (lead, cadmium) and radionuclides from the body, accelerate wound healing, and reduce blood cholesterol levels. Kelp protein has high nutritional value and contains all the amino acids necessary for the human body. Fats include vitamins A and D, the effectiveness of which is very high.
In addition, beta-carotene, vitamins B1, B2 and C were found in kelp algae. One of the most important components of kelp is mineral salts, which mainly determine the nutritional and medicinal value of algae. Laminaria algae are capable of concentrating in their cells a significant amount of organically bound iodine, an element that ensures proper metabolism in the human body. In situations of intense anthropogenic pollution and environmental disasters, the need has been established for the systematic use of natural algae harvested in ecologically clean areas for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes.
Professor Kavanaugh from Cornwall University presented experiments on feeding algae (as a feed additive) to White Leghorn hens, which resulted in significant improvements in their health and egg quality. He showed how hard and durable the eggshell was and how dense the yolk was, which remained intact when transferred from palm to palm. Professor Kavanaugh was particularly interested in the possibility of preventing the formation of brittle egg shells.
The professor also examined cases of poor healing of bones during fractures, which his fellow doctors told him about, and found out the cause of this phenomenon in connection with changes in chemical composition body, in particular in bone tissue. In each case, he believed that patients should be given tablets of seaweed, which is an excellent source of mineral elements in organic form necessary for the human body. He later found out that after starting treatment with algae tablets, patients observed rapid fusion of bone tissue. Cavanaugh later studied the effects of daily consumption of seaweed on the healing of fractures and fissures. Blood tests for the content of calcium, potassium, iron and iodine in the blood of patients in connection with the rate of healing of bone tissue in fractures (cracks) showed that the healing period can be reduced by 20% by eating algae daily, which helps increase the calcium content in the blood .
The composition of the human body is equivalent to the composition of seven gallons sea water. Therefore, the need for minerals can be fully satisfied through seafood products. We cover this need to some extent by consuming fish and other seafood. By eating seaweed daily, we will help better meet our mineral needs. This is a simple and effective means of eliminating the mineral deficiency that develops in the human body when consuming only food grown on the earth.
Use of dried kelp for medicinal purposes
If you buy and consume kelp once a week (two teaspoons of dried kelp is enough), you can provide yourself with a monthly dose of vitamins and microelements that our body needs. Dried kelp is processed seaweed. They are unique because they contain vitamins: A, C, E, which are very important for immunity and slow down the aging process in the body; D - with its help calcium and phosphorus are absorbed; B1, B2 - stimulate metabolic processes in the body; B6, PP - condition of hair, nails, skin. Micro- and macroelements that kelp algae supply us with: Na (sodium), K (potassium), Ca (calcium), Mg (magnesium), Cl (chlorine) and of course I (iodine), the deficiency of which is fraught with particularly negative consequences. All this convincingly suggests that if you buy dried kelp seaweed, the benefits to your body will be enormous.
It has been scientifically proven that kelp effectively removes toxins from the body and prevents the appearance of malignant tumors. Thus, doctors explain the low percentage of breast cancer in Japanese women precisely by the presence of seaweed dishes in their diet.
Dried kelp is recommended to be taken regularly for atherosclerosis, as well as for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and diseases associated with metabolic disorders. In addition, practice shows that seaweed successfully helps with joint diseases: rheumatism, arthritis, arthrosis. In these cases, to relieve pain, you need to take a seaweed bath at night.
Dried kelp algae do not lose their useful properties, on the contrary, it is more convenient to use it in this form, and more pleasant for those who cannot stand its specific smell. Therefore, we recommend that everyone buy kelp and take it with food, replenishing the deficiency of nutrients in such a simple and accessible way.
Brown algae (Phaeophyta ) - a department of algae, a characteristic feature of which is the multicellular structure and lamellar shape of the thallus. This group of algae has a complex structure among other algae. The Brown Algae department has about 1.5 thousand species.
General signs. In terms of the number of cells, brown algae are exclusively multicellular organisms. And in size they range from several centimeters to tens of meters. The lamellar thallus of brown algae has a complex structure. In some species, groups of cells are arranged in several rows and acquire characteristics of differences from other cells, thereby becoming similar to tissue. Cell covers are represented by two-layer membranes. The outer layer is mucous because it consists of pectin substances and soluble salts - alginates, and the inner layer is made of cellulose. Brown algae have green, brown and yellow pigments, which in their combination determine their bright yellow or brown color. The main substances that these plants store are laminarin and oil, which are deposited outside the chloroplasts. Starch is rarely stored. All types of reproduction are found in the Brown Algae department:
vegetative - with parts of the thallus, asexual - with the help of zoospores and brood buds, and sexual - with the help of gametes that are formed in the gametangium organs. Brown algae are characterized by a clear alternation of generations that reproduce sexually and asexually.
Distribution and diversity. Brown algae are exclusively large marine plants; they can be found in all seas of the Earth. Adapted to life at medium depths - 20-30 m, where they absorb green and blue rays of light. But brown algae are more common on rocky coastal areas in the seas of temperate and cold regions of the globe. In these places, algae experience strong mechanical shocks during the surf, but waves do not damage them, because the cells of the thallus are covered with a protective layer of mucus. Near the top of many types of brown algae are air bubbles that keep them afloat. Thanks to the surf and currents in the places where they exist, there is a constant supply of nutrients, so they have a branched thallus, which often reaches large sizes. All brown algae, with the exception of some species of Sargasso algae, lead an attached lifestyle. Their organs of attachment are rhizoids or soles.
The most famous brown algae is kelp, fucus, macrocystis, sargassum, pelvetia, lesonia. Genus Kelp, or seaweed, unites perennials, which are found in almost all seas of the Northern Hemisphere. The thallus of these algae can reach a length of up to 20 m and consists of a plate and rhizoid, which attach the algae to the underwater rocky bottom. The most industrially important are sugar kelp, northern kelp, Japanese kelp, etc.
Fucus- a genus of brown perennial algae. In the cold northern seas, the bottom, which is exposed during low tides, is often covered with a continuous carpet of these algae. Their Talom reaches 30-100 cm in height, has a disc-shaped sole and branched plates, expanding to the top. At the ends of these plates there are air bubbles, thanks to which the algae keeps its elongated body in a vertical position in the water. Sargassum- These are brown algae, the body of which is like bushes, dotted with air bubbles, allowing these organisms to float on the surface of the water.
The name Sargasso algae gives its name to the Sargasso Sea, located east of Florida and south of Bermuda, between 25° and 35° degrees north latitude and between 30° and 70° west longitude. This sea has no shores; their role is played by large ocean currents.
Meaning in nature. Brown algae create organic matter in the coastal zone and are used as food by animals in the seas of temperate and subpolar latitudes. There their number can reach tens of kilograms per 1 m2. Extinct brown algae form algal char. Brown algae form underwater thickets along the shores, which can be equal in extent and density to terrestrial forests. A large number of different marine animals (fish, mollusks, crustaceans) find both prey and hiding places in these places. Through the process of photosynthesis, brown algae enrich the water body with oxygen.
Meaning for a person. Brown algae is collected by humans for food in raw and cooked form. For example, kelp is a well-known edible algae, which is today grown in many countries on special marine farms. It contains many nutrients, vitamins and mineral compounds. Large quantities of brown seaweed are collected and used as potash fertilizer. In medicine, iodine, bromine, blood substitutes, and the like are extracted from brown algae. Brown algae are the main source of alginates - alginic acid compounds. They are used in the food industry to improve the quality of ice cream, fruit juices, and in the paper and pulp industry for sizing paper. In medicine, they are used to make soluble surgical threads, and in the chemical industry - dyes for color printing. In the textile industry, painting with such dyes makes natural fabrics waterproof and non-flammable. Brown algae are capable of accumulating mineral salts in their cells 500-1000 times more than their concentration in water. Modern scientists use a method that allows them to look for marine deposits of non-ferrous metals in places where brown algae accumulate. So, it turned out that algae that grow on gold-bearing rocks contain 6-7 times more precious metal than the rock itself.
So, the most common characteristics of brown algae are richoclitinity, brown coloration of the thallus, due to the presence of a large number of yellow and brown pigments, and a clear alternation of sexual and asexual generations.