Preliminary Research and Documentation

The following research and documentation is meant to get this project started. Please consider this a work in progress. Significant work is needed to move this project forward.

 

Algae as a Food Source

Algae is considered one of the most nutritious sources of food on the planet. Algae and seaweed form the base of the aquatic food chain. It is the primary source of nutrition and food to marine organisms like crabs, crustaceans, sea urchins, snails and some types of fish. These primary aquatic life form are then consumed by fish, small sharks, corals, and baleen whales. These secondary consumers in the food chain are a food source for larger fish and aquatic lifeforms like sharks, toothed whales, dolphins, and seals among others. 

Humans consume aquatic life from every section of this food chain.

The following are the most commonly cultivated, harvested and consumed by humans owing to their high nutrition and ease of cultivation - either on land or in sea.

 

Spirulina

Spirulina is an algae that grows in both fresh and salt water. Often referred to as blue-green algae, It is a family of algae that are photosynthetic in nature.

More information on health benefits, cultivating and harvesting Spirulina is available here.

 

Bladder Wrack

Bladder Wrack is a family of seaweed found in sea water. These are yellowish-brown and can grow up to 3 feet in length. This family of algae has flattened, branching leaf-like fronds. These are covered with spherical air sacs,  that appear in pairs on either side of the midrib.

More information on health benefits and harvesting Bladder Wrack is available here.

 

Dulse

Dulse is an reddish brown algae that grows in sea water. It is mostly found on the rocky shores of Northwest Pacific ocean, North Atlantic and Arctic oceans, and middle to south European shores.

More information on health benefits and harvesting Dulse is available here.

 

Irish Moss

Irish Moss, also known as Carrageen, is a red algae found in abundance along the rocky coastlines of Atlantic ocean in the British Isles, continental Europe, and North America.

More information on health benefits and harvesting Irish Moss is available here.

 

Kombu

Kombu is a greenish-brown algae that grows in sea water. It is the biggest species of seaweed and grow up to 6 meters in length and 30 centimeters in width. They grow naturally in in shallow and cold waters in such as Spain, France, China, Japan, Russia and Korea.

More information on health benefits and harvesting Kombu is available here.

 

Nori

Nori, also known as Laver, is a greenish-red algae that grows in sea water. It is widely used in Asian cuisine and an important ingredient in sushi. They grow naturally in in shallow waters off the coast of Japan, parts of Asia, and Atlantic Irish Sea. It is cultivated off the sea coast.

More information on health benefits and harvesting Nori is available here.

 

Sea Grapes

Sea Grapes are a greenish algae that grows in sea water. It is widely used in Indian and Asian cuisines. They grow naturally in in shallow  waters off the coast of Asia and Pacific Ocean. It is cultivated off the sea coast in most countries.

More information on health benefits and harvesting Sea Grapes is available here.

 

Sea Lettuce

Sea Lettuce is a green algae that grows in sea water. It is popularly known as the salad greens of sea vegetables.  This leafy, bright green seaweed is eaten raw in salads or can be added to soups.  It has a distinctive flavor and aroma that makes it one of the main ingredients in cuisines all over the world.

More information on health benefits and harvesting Sea Lettuce is available here.

 

Wakame

Wakame (Undaria pinnatifida) is a green algae that grows in sea water with a distinctive flavor and texture. It is one of the three most common seaweed varieties in Japan and is commonly grown in Japan and Korea. Wakame can be eaten raw as well as added to soups, stir fry dishes, salads, and other Asian foods.

More information on health benefits and harvesting Wakame is available here.

 

 

 

Licensing

This project is being developed as an open-source project with the following licensing: