Is biomass of filamentous green algae Cladophora spp. (Chlorophyta, Ulvophyceae) an unlimited cheap and valuable resource for medicine and pharmacology? A review

Abstract

Filamentous green algae Cladophora spp. are cosmopolitans inhabiting waters with different salinity, from freshwater to hypersaline. Eutrophication of marine and inland waters results in the huge development of filamentous green algae, which reach high biomass and occupy large areas in different water bodies. This leads to the strong negative effect on the species richness of communities, significantly reduces the aesthetic value of coastal waters, hampers the recreational use of beaches and the coastline, and complicates industrial water intake and coastal fishing. Harvesting and the use of Cladophora biomass can be an effective tool to remediate eutrophic waters. Cladophora spp. are also among the most promising subjects to use in the development of integrated multi‐trophic aquaculture; there is a big potential to use it. Aquaculture is one of the potential uses. To plan the use of a resource, business needs to know the availability and quantity of the resource, the price of the resource, as well as for what benefit and how it can be used. This review summarizes and analyses existing data to answer these questions. Cladophora biomass can be used for food for humans, livestock, cultivated fish and shrimps, as fertilizers, in the energy sector (biogas and biodiesel), and different industries. The use of Cladophora in medicine and pharmacology is one of the most profitable promising ways to utilize the biomass. This review shows that Cladophora biomass is an unlimited, low cost and valuable resource for medicine and pharmacology.

Phylotranscriptomic insights into a Mesoproterozoic–Neoproterozoic origin and early radiation of green seaweeds (Ulvophyceae)

“…Ulvophyceans are also economically important. For example, species in the genera Ulva, Caulerpa, and Cladophora produce sustainable biomass material for the food, aquaculture and biofuel industries, as well as medicine and pharmacology 3,5 . A reliable phylogenetic framework and an evolutionary timeline of the Ulvophyceae are urgently needed to improve our understanding of the evolutionary innovations of these green seaweeds, such as their unique cytomorphological features 6 , and carbon concentrating mechanisms which contribute to the high growth rates of some ulvophyceans 7 .…”

Grazing Effects of Xenocypris davidi Bleeker (Cyprinidae, Cypriniformes) on Filamentous Algae and the Consequent Effects on Intestinal Microbiota

“…Filamentous green algae are present in seawater and freshwater ecosystems worldwide, having high biomass levels and occupying large areas in diferent water bodies [1,2]. Teir uncontrolled growth poses a serious threat to water environments and fshery production [3][4][5] by causing the death and migration of aquatic animals and changes in biodiversity [5][6][7][8][9].…”

An Innovative IMTA System: Polychaetes, Sponges and Macroalgae Co-Cultured in a Southern Italian In-Shore Mariculture Plant (Ionian Sea)

“…Finally, the role of marine macroalgae in offering good ecosystem services is well known; they enrich seawater with oxygen, naturally mitigate nutrient excess and are increasingly used in the bioremediation of chemical pollution [59,60]. Their biomass is recognized as a good stock of bio-products [60,61], useful in different biotechnological applications in medicine, cosmetics or formulation of nutraceuticals and human food products [49,[62][63][64]. However, to become marketable, biomass needs to be produced in considerable quantities, therefore, macroalgae are suitable candidates for mass production in sustainable multitrophic aquaculture plants [65].…”