Question

Write a detail note on economic importances of algae. [5 Marks]

Answer 1

Economic importances of algae:
In food:
Algae are consumed as food by people in Japan, England and also in India.
E.g. Ulva, Spirulina, Chlorella etc.
Some algae are used as food for domestic animals.
E.g. Laminaria, Ascophyllum
In agriculture:
Some of the blue green algae are essential for the fixing of atmospheric nitrogen into the soil, which increases the fertility of the soil.
E.g. Nostoc, Anabaena.
In Agar Agar preparation:
Agar agar is extracted from some red algae, namely Gelidium and Gracillaria. It is used to prepare growth medium in laboratories.
In Single Cell Protein (SCP) production:
Some of the single cell algae and blue green algae are used to produce protein.
E.g. Chlorella, Spirulina. [5 Marks]