The Nutritional and Pharmaceutical Products of Algae

NUTRITIONAL AND PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS OF ALGAE
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The Nutritional and Pharmaceutical Products of Algae
Background
The seaweed is a large group of polyphyletic photosynthetic organisms of diverse species such as the algae. The different species of algae range from about 30,000 to approximately one million (Bellinger and Sigee 2015). The different species of algae inhabit different habitats such as aquatic, terrestrial and unusual habitats such as symbiotic, parasitic, epizoic, epiphytic, halophytic, thermophytic and fluviatile habitats and relationship. Their ability to adapt and survive in different habitats contribute immensely to the nutritional and the pharmaceutical properties. However, due to the changes in climate which affect the biodiversity in the natural habitats, a larger percentage of the plant and the animal species are on the verge of rapid decline and are facing potential extinction, and the seaweeds are no exception. The algae also provide a source of the carotenoids, which are fat-soluble and significant anti-oxidants and in provitamin A activity.
The Nutritional Products of Seaweed/Algae
The seaweeds have significant nutritional value to the humans. The omega-3 fatty acids are produced by the algae. The omega-3 is essential in the nutritional requirements of the infants and in the carbohydrates. The omega-3 fatty acids are a requirement in growth and development and in the proper functionality of the brain. The omega-3 fatty acids have the potential of reducing the risk of heart failures and diseases (Vigani, et al. ...