A Retrospective Review of Global Commercial Seaweed Production—Current Challenges, Biosecurity and Mitigation Measures and Prospects

Abstract

Commercial seaweed cultivation has undergone drastic changes to keep up with the increasing demand in terms of the quantity and quality of the algal biomass needed to meet the requirements of constant innovation in industrial applications. Diseases caused by both biotic and abiotic factors have been identified as contributing to the economic loss of precious biomass. Biosecurity risk will eventually affect seaweed production as a whole and could cripple the seaweed industry. The current review sheds light on the biosecurity measures that address issues in the seaweed industry pushing towards increasing the quantity and quality of algal biomass, research on algal diseases, and tackling existing challenges as well as discussions on future directions of seaweed research. The review is presented to provide a clear understanding of the latest biosecurity developments from several segments in the seaweed research, especially from upstream cultivation encompassing the farming stages from seeding, harvesting, drying, and packing, which may lead to better management of this precious natural resource, conserving ecological balance while thriving on the economic momentum that seaweed can potentially provide in the future. Recommended breeding strategies and seedling stock selection are discussed that aim to address the importance of sustainable seaweed farming and facilitate informed decision-making. Sustainable seaweed cultivation also holds the key to reducing our carbon footprint, thereby fighting the existential crisis of climate change plaguing our generation.

Characterization of bioplastics developed from Kappaphycus alvarezii crosslinked with commercial sodium alginate

“…It has also been used as a supplement in medicine, as it has been shown to have many health benefits for its users (Buschmann et al, 2017). There are a lot of circumstances that affect the growth of seaweeds, which at the same time can alter their properties when conditions are changed (Sugumaran et al, 2022). Malaysia has a great sea environment for the growth of seaweeds, which has led to concentrated seaweed availability (Hussin & Khoso, 2017).…”

Macroalgae Improve the Growth and Physiological Health of White Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

“…Macroalgae are widely distributed throughout the world. In 2018, the total macroalgae production in 50 countries was 32.4 million tons [8]. Hainan, the second largest island in southern China, has 252 macroalgae taxa [9].…”

Elucidation of Antioxidant and Neuroprotective Potential of Fucoxanthin Isolated from Brown Seaweed Sargassum oligocystum

“…(FAO 2018). Seaweed farming contributes signi cantly to the economy of the sea by employing millions of people, especially in Asian countries (Sugumaran et al 2022). Various industries and farming communities are employed in seaweed cultivations around the world (Wang et Seaweeds are one of the most abundant and promising sources of bioactive substances including polysaccharides, unsaturated fatty acids, phenols, peptides, terpenoids, etc., with unique structures and properties (Ranga Rao and Ravishankar 2022b).…”