Production, Maintenance and Benefits of Seaweeds in Tropical Regions

Abstract

AbstractThe mariculture, a type of aquaculture, is the process in which the seaweeds, a type of macroalgae, are cultivated. The seaweed involves various medicinal, biological, and socio-economical applications. The seaweeds are autotrophic and can produce numerous compounds with many important aspects. It has been used for a long time as a nutrient, which is rich in protein, dietary fibres and lipids. Along with the bio-molecules, it has numerous bioactive compounds with multi-potential uses in various industries. The products of the seaweed cultivation majorly involve the consumption by human beings, whereas the other major impact of seaweeds has been observed in the maintenance of marine food chain and marine ecosystem. The seaweed cultivation has been seen majorly around the coastal regions but it does not denote that coastal areas are necessary for seaweed cultivation. This chapter provides information about different types of seaweeds, their characteristics, lifecycle, production, application and cultivation techniques of the seaweeds, particularly in tropical regions. The discussion continues to know about their nutritional values, followed by the details about the different regions and countries that fall under the tropical category, and the three major production methods of seaweed cultivation along with its advantages and disadvantages and the factors that can harm the seaweed cultivation have also been discussed in this chapter. The chapter also covers the threats and harm to the seaweeds as well as the factors that increase the growth of the seaweeds.KeywordsSeaweedsAquacultureTropical regionsCultivationRed seaweedsBrown seaweedsGreen seaweeds