Gracilaria

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to navigationJump to search

Gracilaria

Scientific classification

(unranked): Archaeplastida

Division: Rhodophyta

Class: Florideophyceae

Order: Gracilariales

Family: Gracilariaceae

Genus: Gracilaria
Greville, 1830

Gracilaria is a genus of red algae (Rhodophyta) 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.

Contents

 1Distribution
 2Use
 3Aquarium trade
 4Ecology
 5References
 6External links
Distribution[edit]
Gracilaria bursa-pastoris and Gracilaria multipartita have long been established in
southern England and northwestern France, but confusion between Gracilaria
gracilis and Gracilariopsis longissima, as Gracilaria verrucosa or Gracilaria confervoides, has
hindered the accurate recognition of its northern distribution boundaries.[1]

Use[edit]

Ogonori

Gracilaria is used as a food in Japanese, Hawaiian, and Filipino cuisine.[2] In Japanese cuisine, it
is called ogonori or ogo. In the Philippines, it is called gulaman and used to
make gelatin.[3] In Jamaica, it is known as Irish moss.[4]
Gracilaria oligosaccharides with degree of polymerization 6 prepared by agarase digestion from
agar-bearing Gracilaria sp. polysaccharideshave been shown to be an effective prophylactic
agent during in vitro and in vivo experiments against Japanese encephalitis viral infection. The
sulfated oligosaccharides from Gracilaria sp. seem to be promising candidates for further
development as antiviral agents.[5]

Aquarium trade[edit]
Gracilaria commonly appears as a macroalgae for sale in the aquarium trade. It is a highly
palatable algae to tangs[6] and many other herbivorous fish, and its nutrient uptake ability makes
it a suitable choice for a refugium.

Ecology[edit]
Gracilaria are susceptible to infection by the parasitic oomycete Pythium porphyrae.[7]

References[edit]
1. Jump up^ Steentoft, M. and Farham, W.F. 1997. Northern distribution boundaries and thermal
requirements of Gracilaria and Gracilariopsis (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta) in Atlantic Europe and
Scandinavia. Nord. J. Bot. 5: 87–93
2. Jump up^ Kyaw, Aye, The Production of Gracilaria eduli in Burma, Report of the Training Course
on Gracilaria Algae, Manila, Philippines, 1–30 April 1981, accessed 27 April 2013
3. Jump up^ Davidson, Alan (2004). Seafood of South-East Asia: A Comprehensive Guide with
Recipes. Ten Speed Press. p. 197. ISBN 978-1-58008-452-9.
4. Jump up^ Thomas J. Goreau; Robert Kent Trench (2013). Innovative Methods of Marine
Ecosystem Restoration. CRC Press. pp. 193–. ISBN 978-1-4665-5773-4. Retrieved 30
June 2013.
5. Jump up^ Kazłowski B, Chiu YH, Kazłowska K, Pan CL, Wu CJ (August 2012). "Prevention of
Japanese encephalitis virus infections by low-degree-polymerisation sulfated saccharides
from Gracilaria sp. and Monostroma nitidum". Food Chem. 133 (3): 866–
74. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2012.01.106.
6. Jump up^ Volynkin, Alex (2013-09-28). "Growing Gracilaria Parvispora". Salt Water Reefing.
Retrieved 2016-12-18. This brings me back to Achilles’s diet. The guy apparently really likes
Gracilaria macro algae. No wonder, especially considering that the grass is indigenous to Hawaii
as well, and is considered the favorite food for tangs.
7. Jump up^ Spencer, M. A. (2004). "Pythium porphyrae. (Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria)". IMI
Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria. 162 (Sheet 1617). Retrieved 10 October 2017. A description
is provided for Pythium porphyrae. Information is included on the disease caused by the
organism, its transmission, geographical distribution, and hosts. DISEASES: Red-rot disease, red-
wasting disease. HOSTS: Bangia atropurpurea, Callophyllis adhaerens, Polyopes affinis (syn