Seaweed resources, products and utilization

India has extensive seaweed resources and these have been surveyed by several workers. In India, more attention is being bestowed on increasing the production of economically important seaweeds by different culture techniques. The growth rate and production of Gelidiella acerosa, Gracilaria edulis, Hypnea musciformis, Acanthophora spicfera and Sargassum spp. in different culture methods have been studied. Considerable data are also available on the commercial exploitation of Indian seaweeds. The important commercial products from seaweeds are agar-agar, algin, mannitol and proteins. The algae are also found to bear bioactive substances such as toxins and antibiotics. Attempts have been made to develop antiviral, antifungal and antimicrobial substance from seaweeds.