Carrageenophyte Species: Biomass Development and Industrial Applications

Abstract

The synthesis of carrageenan, a sulfated polysaccharide with a wide range of uses in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and biotechnology sectors, depends heavily on carrageenophytes, which are mostly found in the genera Kappaphycus, Eucheuma, and Chondrus. Because of its gelling, thickening, and stabilising qualities, carrageenan is a valuable component in a variety of goods, including toothpaste, confections, dairy substitutes, and topical treatments.

With an emphasis on both aquaculture and wild harvesting, this study explores the many approaches to biomass generation. A classic way of collecting carrageenophytes is still wild harvesting, which is often done in coastal areas with an abundance of natural seaweed resources. But the increasing need for carrageenan has fuelled aquaculture's growth, especially in tropical and subtropical areas where species like Eucheuma denticulatum and Kappaphycus alvarezii are widely grown. The study looks at cutting-edge aquaculture methods that maximise output while reducing environmental effect, such integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA), floating line, and off-bottom aquaculture.