what are the benefits of algae

List of the Advantages of Algae Biofuel

1. Algae grows at higher efficiency levels than other biofuel crops. ...
2. Algae is more productive than other forms of biomass. We can create biofuels from several agricultural products. ...
3. Algae is a renewable resource. ...
4. Algae produces viable hydrocarbons for numerous products. ...
5. Algae is something that almost anyone can grow. ...

More items...

Full Answer

What does algae do and should you be consuming it?

What should I do if I suspect a bloom?

• Know it. Be able to identify suspicious blooms so you can avoid them.
• Avoid it. People, pets, and livestock should avoid areas with blooms or surface scums, or water that is noticeably discolored.
• Never drink it. Never drink untreated surface water. ...
• Report it.

What is the nutritional value of algae?

In general, algae nutrition is as follows: Protein and amino acids, up to 60 percent protein by dry weight Vitamins A (beta-carotene), C (ascorbic acid), E and K Many of the B-complex vitamins, including B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B6 (pyridoxine), choline, biotin, niacin, folic acid, pantothenic acid and B12 (cobalamin)

Is algae good for health?

Eating algae has a ton of health benefits. They are very nutrient dense with high concentrations of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, protein and nutrients. For this reason, algae have become known as “superfoods”. Throughout history, algae have long been consumed as both food and medicine.

What are the health effects of blue green algae?

Potential health effects to such exposure could include:

• Irritation of the skin, nose, eyes and respiratory tract.
• Gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting or diarrhea upon ingestion.
• Liver or nervous system effects, if relatively large amounts of the algae are ingested.

Is it good to eat algae?

Algae contains high levels of calcium, iron, vitamins A, C, and K, potassium, selenium, and magnesium. Most importantly, it is one of the best natural sources of iodine, a nutrient that is missing from most other foods, and is also essential for a healthy functioning thyroid gland.

Is drinking algae good for you?

Spirulina is a type of cyanobacteria — often referred to as blue-green algae — that is incredibly healthy. It may improve your levels of blood lipids, suppress oxidation, reduce blood pressure and lower blood sugar.

How does algae benefit the earth and humans?

Algae generate at least 40% of earth's oxygen through photosynthesis, the conversion of carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and sugars. Algae is so abundant that you can sometimes see it from space, and all of this algae produces a wealth of benefits and costs to human society and the environment.

Is algae good for skin?

Algae and kelp (or seaweed) are fantastic for hydrating, revitalizing and toning the skin and can also help to reduce or fully eliminate problems with acne, cellulite, and even wrinkles. Algae improves skin's elasticity.

Is algae a superfood?

Nutrient-dense, algae are often touted as a superfood, but the health benefits aren't completely understood. Most edible algae contain high amounts of vitamins and minerals including folate, iron, zinc, and magnesium.

What are the environmental benefits of algae?

Environmental Benefits of Algae “Life-cycle assessments show that growing algae is a lot more sustainable than growing plants. Compared to other sources of protein they also require far fewer fertilizers or chemicals for crop protection. Plus they emit a lot less greenhouse gases.”

Is algae a medicinal plant?

Algae is used as one of important medical source due to its antioxidant, anticancer, antiviral properties. . Therapeutic properties of algae is used for promotion of health . edible algae is recognized as complete foods which provides correct balance of proteins, carbohydrates ,vitamins ,and minerals.

How algae can save the world?

High in nutrients, vitamins and proteins, micro-algae could supplement diets to combat malnutrition, replace soy protein used in livestock feed and thereby reduce associated deforestation, boost air quality through its carbon capture and oxygen production, and provide a cleaning medium for industrial wastewater.

What is the name of the algae that is eaten in supplements?

Human consumption of the blue-green algae called spirulina actually goes back to the Aztec civilization of the 14th century, and this type, including chlorella, is the edible variety most commonly used in supplements.

What is the best source of chlorophyll?

The very best sources of chlorophyll found on the planet are algae and green vegetables. Algae nutritional information varies by product, but here is a general idea of the typical nutrient profile. In general, algae nutrition is as follows: Protein and amino acids, up to 60 percent protein by dry weight.

Why is chlorophyll important to algae?

Like plants, they use chlorophyll to trap the sunlight necessary for them to undergo photosynthesis, which is why chlorophyll is considered a “ chelate .”.

What is the role of chelating agents in photosynthesis?

A chelate is a chemical compound composed of a metal ion and a chelating agent that plays a vital role in oxygen transport and photosynthesis. The chlorophyll found in algae is actually considered the single most important chelator found in nature, since it gives plants energy, which then give us energy.

How long have algae been around?

Algae of one kind or another have been around for over 2 billion years, and they’ve been used in human diets for centuries. To receive algae benefits, many people use algae supplements to fulfill their needs for essential fatty acids when they want to avoid animal supplements or are concerned about overfishing.

What is AFA algae?

Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA) is one of the more commonly consumed edible species of blue-green algae. Aphanizomenon flos-aquae , also known as Klamath Blue Green Algae, flourishes in the natural ecosystem of the Klamath Lake in the northwestern United States. AFA is also sometimes called wild blue green algae, ...

What is blue green algae?

Blue-green algae has also been used to treat precancerous growths inside the mouth, improve memory and improve overall digestive health. ( 2) Studies have also indicated that the blue-green type has antiviral, antitumor, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, antidiabetic and antibacterial properties.

How does bioremediation work?

Bioremediation is the process of using organisms to remove or neutralize pollutants from a contaminated site. We all know that hazardous waste affects our resources and ultimately determines how sustainable our earth genuinely is. Environmentalists are in a constant battle to develop a successful program that maintains a reasonable goal for the disposal of toxic waste. As for now, many wastewater facilities are using algae as a means to control the amount of pollutant exposure. Algae is commonly found in many wastewater treatment plants, which are designed to remove biological waste or chemical waste from water. Instead of increasing the amount of toxic chemicals to aid in the removal of sludge and poisonous organic molecules from our water resource, they use algae! Algae is quick to grow and helps control pollution by consuming carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions that may be pumped into a water tank or pond. In just three to five days, algae also eliminates ammonia, a high percentage (above 85%) of nitrate, and about 99% of phosphate from wastewater. These pathogens, if not removed from our water, can cause a dissatisfying taste and possibly affect your overall well-being.

How does algae make energy?

Certain species of microalgae have the ability to store energy gained through photosynthesis in the form of natural oils. Numerous scientific studies have found that under the right conditions, algae can make a large amount of oil that can then be converted into biofuels. It has been estimated that algae can produce up to 60 times more oil per acre than land-based plants, and with that extracted oil, you have the raw materials to make fuel for a wide variety of applications. For this process, oil is extracted by breaking down the cell structure of the algae using solvents or sound waves, then processed at an integrated biorefinery for further use. While commercial production is still a ways off, algae holds great promise to become a reliable fuel source to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels.

How long does it take for algae to remove nitrates?

In just three to five days, algae also eliminates ammonia, a high percentage (above 85%) of nitrate, and about 99% of phosphate from wastewater. These pathogens, if not removed from our water, can cause a dissatisfying taste and possibly affect your overall well-being.

What are the components of algae?

Essentially, algae have three components, chlorophyll and other plant pigments, omega-3 fatty acids and essential elements . Whether you are in the energy industry or the agricultural industry, chances are you have heard the mention of algae from time to time, most likely because of the many different uses algae have in today’s world.

How much more oil can algae produce than land based plants?

It has been estimated that algae can produce up to 60 times more oil per acre than land-based plants, and with that extracted oil, you have the raw materials to make fuel for a wide variety of applications.

What kingdom is algae in?

The Encyclopedia Britannica explains algae as being, “members of a group of predominantly aquatic photosynthetic organisms of the kingdom Protista, ” which “range in size ...

Is algae a consumable substance?

While not all types of algae are consumable, simple- celled algae (the same type used in our proprietary algal solution) is, and these organisms provide a long list of vitamins and anti-oxidants, not to mention, they are also rich in potassium, iron, magnesium and calcium and contain other marine minerals such as iodine.

Fucoxanthin (from Brown Algae)

Fucoxanthin, found in brown algae, has the interesting (and rare) property of stimulating thermogenin, also known as uncoupling protein 1, or UCP1. Uncoupling proteins are so named because rather than combining protons to turn chemical energy into ATP, they “uncouple,” or separate them, letting the same chemical energy instead dissipate as heat.

Chlorella (Green Algae)

Probably the two best known algae are chlorella and spirulina. Both have similar health benefits.

Spirulina (a Blue-Green Algae)

Spirulina is indeed a superfood, jam-packed with essential amino acids, B vitamins, iron, and other minerals.

Potential Adverse Effects

The primary concern with algae is the flip side of its chelating capability: it easily grabs on to heavy metals, so you’ll want to make sure that the source you choose has been tested for possible contaminants.

About the Author: Dr. Lauren

Dr. Lauren Deville is board-certified to practice medicine in the State of Arizona. She received her NMD from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ, and she holds a BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics from the University of Arizona, with minors in Spanish and Creative Writing.

What are the two types of algae that are beneficial to humans?

Two types of algae that can be the most beneficial are spirulina and chlorella . Spirulina is a blue-green algae that is cultivated all across the world and can be consumed by both humans, as well as other animals. Spirulina can be found as a whole food and dietary supplement in various forms, as well as a feed supplement.

What is the name of the algae that can be found in fresh water?

Cyanobacterium, also known as Cyanophyta, includes algae such as spirulina and can be found in most conceivable habitats. Algae has many potential uses, it can be used as a pigment, for fertilizer, as a source of energy, a stabilizer, ...

What is the plant that lives in tropical waters?

Rhodophyta is a diverse plant of varied size that often lives in tropical waters. Microscopic Chlorophyta is abundant mostly in fresh waters, and includes the beneficial chlorella. Pyrrophyta (fire algae), which is the cause of red tides, incorporates more than one thousand species of unicellular algae. Chrysophyta, which includes the highly ...

What is an algae?

Algae are simple nonflowering plants and include seaweeds and other single-celled plants. Algae contains chlorophyll, but lacks proper stems, leaves, roots, and vascular tissues. This plant derives its energy both from photosynthesis and various methods of uptake of organic carbon.

What are the uses of algae?

Algae has many potential uses, it can be used as a pigment, for fertilizer, as a source of energy, a stabilizer, a source of nutrition, and as a benefit to human health.

Is spirulina good for liver?

Spirulina can be used for cardiovascular and liver health, to protect against the contraction of cancer and HIV, to aide those with chronic illnesses, and even as an allergy relief. There are many ways to start incorporating algae into your diet.

Does algae help with stress?

This type of algae has high antioxidant activity making it a substance that could potentially helps a person’s body adapt to protect against stressors. Additionally, studies have shown that this type of algae may even be able to promote human stem cell proliferation, which helps the body to repair itself after illnesses.

What is the difference between chlorella and chloroficean?

When used together, they create a powerful combination duo! Chlorella is a type of freshwater green algae. Chlorella is a eukaryote plant source of algae called chloroficean. It has a tough exterior wall that is hard to digest.

What is the best algae for health?

Two of the best and most researched forms of algae that have major health benefits are chlorella and spirulina. Chlorella and spirulina are in the same algae family yet they each have their own unique health benefits. Both of these superfoods help to heal and detoxify the body.

How does chlorella affect the immune system?

2. They boost immunity. Research has shown that algae may have immune- stimulating effects.One study showed that chlorella 1 and spirulina 2 can directly or indirectly regulate immunity by increasing Natural Killer cell activity and producing regulatory immune proteins. 3. They can lower inflammation.

Why are algae good for you?

3. They can lower inflammation. Algae are anti-inflammatory. Inflammation and oxidative stress can damage our cells and lead to chronic diseases such as heart disease.Both spirulina and chlorella are naturally high sources of antioxidants, which fight off inflammation and oxidation.

What are the two groups of organisms that produce oxygen?

Algae are a group of aquatic organisms, found in both freshwater and saltwater, that produce oxygen through the process of Photosynthesis. The algae group includes both cyanobacteria (the blue-green algae) and eukaryotes (all other algae types). Interestingly, chloroplasts (found in most land plants) are adapted forms of cyanobacteria, ...

What are the most common types of algae?

The most common type of algae that most people know of is seaweed or dulse. Other popular (very healthy) types include chlorella and spirulina.

Why is algae considered a superfood?

They are very nutrient dense with high concentrations of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, protein and nutrients. For this reason, algae have become known as “superfoods”. Throughout history, algae have long been consumed as both food and medicine.

What is an algae?

What are algae? A simple, non-flowering, and typically aquatic plant of a large group that includes the seaweeds and many single-celled forms.

Does Omega 3 help with weight loss?

Omega-3 is also beneficial for joints, bone development and plays a crucial role in brain cell regeneration . Omega-3 fatty acids melt down the bad cholesterol in our body, that means it helps in weight loss as well. If you eat junk food, oily food, or want to get rid of gained extra weight post pregnancy.

Is Omega 3 good for you?

Omega-3 are fatty acids that are good for our health and helps reduce other unhealthy fat in our body . That result in improved functionality of heart, brain, and overall our body. It has a preventative effect on muscle infections.

What is the role of algae in the environment?

One of the most important roles played by algae in the environment is the production of oxygen as a by-product in the process of photosynthesis . One of the similarities between land plants and several algae species is the presence of chlorophyll which allows them to form organic food molecules by utilizing energy from the sun and carbon dioxide.

How long have algae been around?

Algae have existed in the world over a long period with some fossils discovered in the Vindhya basin being close to 2 billion years old. Scientists have extensively studied the distribution patterns of algae as they are found in a significant number of areas around the world where they perform several vital functions.

What are some examples of large species of algae that provide habitat to numerous organisms?

Large species of algae encourage the growth and spread of aquatic life as they provide habitats for several species. Kelp forests are examples of large species of algae that provide habitat to numerous organisms. More than one species of kelp can often be found within a single kelp forest.

What are the factors that affect the growth of algae?

Farm chemicals particularly fertilizers have a large concentration of chemicals such as phosphorous and nitrogen which contribute to the rapid growth of algae. Other pollutants contain a high level of heavy metals which when taken up by the algae in sufficient quantities may inhibit the growth of the plant.

Why do algae die off?

If the algae die off due to the depletion of minerals in the water, the decomposition and subsequent decline in oxygen production may lead to the death of the fish. The algae also make use of the oxygen for respiration. Despite contributing significantly to the oxygen available in the world, algae may cause a reduction in the levels ...

Why is life in the ocean dependent on algae?

Life in the ocean is heavily dependent on algae as the organisms that feed on algae are eaten by larger species ensuring that life continues in the sea. People in various communities, particularly Asian societies, also consume algae. The people who eat algae praise it for its high nutritional value.

Why are algae important to the food chain?

They are immensely important because it is a food source to a large number of aquatic animals ranging from tadpoles to fish species such as the catfish and the Siamese algae eater.