industry and did you know that in
many tropical communities, coralline rock is used as building stones.
The commercial use of seaweeds in
South Africa comprises but a small
industry utilizing mostly brown and
fleshy red seaweeds. The increasing
use of local representatives of seaweeds has resulted in a state policy
to ensure the sustainable use of
these commercial resources and this
awareness has greatly facilitated
research on local seaweeds and
considerably increased our
knowledge of most of the species.
It is only with this increased awareness that we’ve been able to bring
to you the knowledge that we’ve
gained regarding this fascinating
group of marine organisms.
Gigartina polycarpa (tongue weed) is an example of a carrageenophyte.
GLOSSARY
Antioxidant:
A compound (vitamins A [which is converted from beta-carotene], C and E selenium [a mineral], and carotenoids) that protects against cell damage caused by molecules called oxygenfree radicals (oxidation) that are a major cause of disease and aging.
Cretinism:
A type of mental and physical retardation caused by severe, uncorrected thyroid deficiency in
infancy and early childhood.
Goiter:
An enlargement of the thyroid gland quite often due to a lack of iodine in the diet.
Primary Production: The production of organic matter (plant tissue) from carbon dioxide, water and sunlight
through photosynthesis.
Original Reference:
Maneveldt, G.W. 2006. You use seaweeds for that? Veld & Flora 92(1): 24-25.