Economic Importance of Algae Beneficial Aspects of Algae Harmful Aspects of Algae Diatomite Diatomite earth Bio Fuel Algal Blooms Red tide Biofouling Algal Fertilisers Bio fertilisers alginin Laminaria Kombu Aonori Monostroma Aulosira fertilissima Anabaena Agar agar Carrageenan Alginic acid alginite kieselguhr Diatomaceous earth natural pigments Algal pigments Phycobiliproteins Carotenoids β-Carotene Lutein Zexantin Canthaxantin Astaxanthin PUFA nutraceuticals Dunaleilla Biogas Bio plastic BIO ELECTRICITY Algal bulb Dead Zone

2. →Important part of the food chain in aquatic ecosystems
because they fix carbon dioxide into organic molecules that
can be used by heterotrophs.
→80% of the earth’s oxygen is produced by planktonic algae.
→Petroleum and natural gas reserves were formed primarily
from diatoms and plankton.

3. Beneficial Aspects
→ Environmental value
→ Food & Fodder
→ Fertilisers
→ Reclaimation of waste land
→ Treatment of waste water
→ Commercial products
→ Drugs
→ Diatomite
→ Bio Fuel
→ Space Research and Other
Fundamental Studie
→ Others
Harmful Aspects
→ Algal Blooms
→ Red tides
→ Toxins accumulation in
food chains
→ Biofouling
→ Damage to cave
paintings, frescoes, and
other works of art
→ Diseases

5. 2. As Food:
→ Used as human food for centuries in various parts of the
world.
→Rich in nutrients
→ Laminaria, Gracilaria, Porphyra, Sargassum
Chlorella and Spirulina, Ulva, Monostroma, Enteromorpha
etc. blankmange

6. →China and Indonesia - the largest seaweed producers with over
23 million tonnes of aggregated production in 2014 - estimated
at US $6.7 billion
→ 221 sps. are commercial value –
→10 sps. are intensively cultivated - Saccharina japonica ,
Sargassum fusiforme, Porphyra, Kappaphycus alvarezii,
Eucheuma, Gracilaria, Enteromorpha clathrata , Monostroma
nitidum, Caulerpa, Saccharina japonica, Laminaria japonica

7. Porphyra

8. Laminaria
(Kombu)

9. Chlorella:

10. Monostroma (Aonori)

11. Spirulina

12. 3. Algae as Fodder:
→ Used as fodder in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Scotland,
America, New Zealand, Pacific Coasts
→ natural and a low cost food option for animals
→ Rich in nutrients
→ Ascophyllum spp., Rhodymenia palmate, Sargassum spp.
Laminaria saccharina, Fucus, etc.
→ Fish feed as alternatives to fishmeal. Chlorella, Scenedesmus ,
Ascophyllum, Porphyra, Spirulina, or Ulva
Increased egglaying capacity of poultry
Increased Iodine, Carotene content in the Yolk,
Enhanced milk yielding capacity in cattle
Increase fat content in the milk

14. 4. Algae as Biofertilizers
→BGA like Anabaena, Nostoc, Aulosira, Totypothrix,
Cylindrospermum, Stigonema etc. low cost biofertilisers
→Add organic matter as well as extra nitrogen to the soil.
→ Aulosira fertilissima is considered to be the most active nitrogen
fixer of Rice fields in India
→ Cylindrospermum licheniforme grows in Sugarcane and Maize
fields

15. Nostoc, Aulosira, Anabaena etc.
5. Algae in Wasteland Reclamation

16. 6. Algae in Sewage Treatment
Chlorella, Chlamydomonas, Microactinum, Anacystis etc
Scenedesmus, Chlorella and Euglena.
Can reduce BOD
removal of N and/or P
removal of heavy metals

17. Beneficial Aspects
→ Environmental value
→ Food & Fodder
→ Fertilisers
→ Reclaimation of waste land
→ Treatment of waste water
→ Commercial products
→ Drugs
→ Bio Fuel
→ Space Research and Other Fundamental
Studie
→ Others

18. Algae in production of commercial products

19. Agar:
A polysaccharide, Jelly like
substance obtained from Red algae
like Gelidium, Gracilaria, Gigartina
Used in Foods, Cosmetics, Pharma
industries

21. Carrageenan:
Extracted from Cell walls of Red
Algae Chondrus, Gigartina
Used in Pharma, Textile, Leather,
Cosmetics, Brewing industries, dairy
and bakery products.

22. c. Alginic acid (Alginite)
 Macrocystis, Ascophyllum, Laminaria , Durvillea , Nereocystis,
Ecklonia etc. produce alginites in their middle lamella in the form of
alginic acid.

24. This product comes from large
fossil deposits of planktonic algae
called diatoms. One of the largest
sites of diatomaceous earth is in
Lompoc, California.
This material is actually the
silica cell walls of diatoms.
White in colour, highly porous,
insoluble, Chemically inert, Fire
proof.
Diatomaceous earth / kieselguhr :

26. Mannitol:
Water soluble crystalline
powder obtained from
Sargassum, Tubenaria
Sweetner in Diabetic foods,
Pharmaceutical (Blood
Anticoagulant)

27.  Algae produce natural pigments that can be used instead of
coloring agents and chemical dyes.
 Chlorophyll Phycobiliproteins, Carotenoids, β-Carotene,
Lutein, Zexantin and Canthaxantin, Astaxanthin

28. Algae in Medicine:
 Algae possess a rich and varied source of pharmacologically
active natural products and nutraceuticals.
 Contains antioxidants such as polyphenols, phycobiliproteins
and vitamins
 fight against cancer, chronic inflammation, atherosclerosis and
cardiovascular disorders, ageing processes
 Has antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-allergic,
anticoagulant properties.
 Algae as nutraceuticals: Omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids
(PUFA), β-Carotene, Astaxanthin, Carotenoids

30. Algae is believed to promote blood circulation, provide the
skin with moisture and regulate the sebaceous gland function.
 mucus substance present in algae believed to protect the
skin from drying out
 Chlorella is found to be especially helpful in the treatment
of chronic skin condition like dermatitis, and eczema
 widely used in anti-aging creams skin whitening creams
moisturizing creams
 used to treat hyper pigmentation, acne scars and dark
circles.
Used in hair styling gels, anti dandruf shampoos, Hair dyes
Algae in Cosmetic Industry

31. Algae in Cosmetic Industry

32. Algae in Bio-fuel Production
Botryococcus braunii, Chlorella, Gracilaria, Sargassum,
Ankistrodesmus, Dunaliella tertiolecta, Scenedesmus,
Nannochloropsis -Biofuel
Sargassum, Spirulina -Biogas
Dunaleilla – Glycerol
contain high oil content & yield more than other feedstock.
 cultivation of microalgae does not require arable land or
fresh water

33. Open system
closed system

34. Credits: americanscientist.org

36. 2008 Sundance Film Festival a
Mercedes Benz C320 diesel
demonstrated the “first real-world road
test of biodiesel made from algae”,
developed by Solazyme, a California
Biotech firm
German carmaker Volkswagen has
showcased its algae biogas-powered
vehicle at a biogas project based in El
Torno Chiclana, a town in south-west
Spain.

37. Algae BulbHarnessing the power of algae
– BIO ELECTRICITY

38. Production of BIO Plastic
Algae act as an excellent source material for bioplastic
production because it contain long chain polymers
Advantages
→high product yields and the ability to grow in a range of
environments.
→Biodegradable - take less time to break down
→ are renewable:
→ less energy to produce:
→ easier to recycle
→ non toxic, environment friendly

40. Harmful Aspects of Algae

41. Algal blooms
→ Occur in freshwater as well
as marine environments
→ HABs caused by
Cyanobacteria, Dinoflagellates
and diatoms

42. Algal blooms are indicators of water pollution. They
grow rapidly in water with high concentrations of organic
material (sewage or industrial waste)
 Emit foul smell, may not be suitable for drinking,
recreation or agricultural use.
Deplete oxygen, resulting in the death of massive
numbers of fish – creating Dead Zone.

43. →Produce extremely dangerous toxins that can sicken or
kill people and animals
→They cause allergies, skin infections & gastric, liver,
respiratory diseases in humans and cattle.
→Raise treatment costs for drinking water
→Negative Impact on Commercial fisheries, seafood
,Tourism and recreational industries that depend on clean
water .

44. Diatoms & Microalgae Some algae colonize rapidly on
substrates present in water like Ships, Boats, underwater pipes
and other surfaces - corrodes
In ships and boats - causes frictional resistance that leads to
loss of speed and increased fuel consumption and emission of
CO2.
Enteromorpha, Ectocarpus
Bio-Fouling:

46. Professor F.E. Fritsch, 1879-1954
'The Structure and Reproduction of the Algae'

48. ALGAL DIVISIONS
1. CHLOROPHYCEAE Spirogyra, Volvox
2. XANTHOPHYCEAE eg: Vaucheria, Chlorococcus
3. CHRYSOPHYCEAE eg:
4. BACILLARIOPHYCEAE eg:Diatoms
5. CRYPTOPHYCEAE
6. DINOPHYCEAE (Pyrrophyta) eg:Ceratium, Peridinium
7. CHLOROMONADINEAE
8. EUGLENINEAE eg:Euglena,
9. PHAEOPHYCEAE eg: Fucus, Laminaria etc.
10.RHODOPHYCEAE eg: Polysiphonia, Porphyra
11.MYXOPHYCEAE eg: Nostoc,

49. • ancestors of land plants
• chlorophyll a and b
• cell wall made of cellulose
• storage food as starch
• saltwater and freshwater
• associate with fungi to form lichens
– crustose
– foliose
– fruiticose
Class: CHLOROPHYTA-(GREEN ALGAE)

50. Oedogonium
Chlamydomonas Volvox
Spirogyra
Hydrodictyon

51. Class: Xanthophyceae
Chromatophores are Yellow-green owing to excess of
Xanthophyll
CHLOROPHYLL a and b
Store food as Oil
Cell wall made of Pectin
2 Unequal Flagella
Ex: Microspora

52. Class: CHRYSOPHYCEAE (GOLDEN BROWN ALGAE)
• 2 large Brown Chromatophores
• CHLOROPHYLL a and c,
• Fucoxanthin, Neoxanthin, Violoxanthin
• ∞- Carotene,ß-carotene, Alloxanthin
• Store food as Chrysolaminarin, Oil
• Cell wall absent or made of Cellulose
• 2 Unequal Flagella
• marine and freshwater
Ex: Mischococcus, Chrysophaera, Uroglena etc.

53. Mischococcus
UroglenaChrysophaera

54. Class: BACILLARIOPHYCEAE (Diatoms)
• CHLOROPHYLL a and c, ß-carotene
• Fucoxanthin, Diatoxanthin, Didinoxanthin
• Store food as Chrysolaminarin, Oil
• Cell wall made of Silica
• 1 with stiff hairs
• fresh and marine
• phytoplankton
• all reproduce asexually -- some sexually
Ex: Synedra, Nitschia, Pinnularia

55. radial symmetry &
bilateral symmetry
Diatoms

56. Class: CRYPTOPHYCEAE
• 2 Brown Chromatophores
• CHLOROPHYLL a and c, Phycocyanin
• ∞- Carotene,ß-carotene, Alloxanthin
• Store food as Starch
• Cell wall absent
• 2 Unequal Flagella
• marine and Brackishwater
Ex: Cryptomonas

57. Class: DINOPHYCEAE (Dinoflagellates)
• Fire Algae
– Many Dark Yellow, Brown discoid Chromatophores
– chlorophyll a & c, Peridinin,
– ß-carotene, Diatoxanthin, Didinoxanthin
– store starch (amylose), rarely oil
- cell wall of cellulose or absent
– 1 lateral & 1 posterior flagellum
– produces a spinning motion
• marine and freshwater
• Red Tides
Ex: Peridinium, Ceratium etc.

59. One of the dinoflagellates that
causes Red Tides

60. Class: CHLOROMONADINEAE
– Many discoid, Dark green Chromatophores
– chlorophyll a & c, Peridinin,
– ß-carotene, Excess of xanthophyll
- cell wall of cellulose or absent
– 2, equal flagella
- freshwater forms
Ex:Vacuolaria

61. Class: Euglenineae
• Dark green Chromatophores
• CHLOROPHYLL a and b
• ß-carotene, Diatoxanthin, Didinoxanthin, Zeaxanthin
• Store food as PARAMYLON
• 1 TO 3 flagella
• NO cell wall
• PELLICLE
• freshwater habitats
• HAVESTIGMA
– photosensetive eyespot
Ex: Euglena, Phacus etc.

63. Class: PHAEOPHYCEAE (Brown Algae)
• CHLOROPHYLL a and c
• ß-carotene, Fucoxanthin (Brown Pigment), Violoxanthin
• most structurally complex algae
• body is a flat thin thallus & shows tissue differentiation
• multicellular cold water seaweeds
• food stored as laminarin & Mannitol
• 2, unequal flagella
• exhibit the Diplohaplontic Life Cycle (as do the higher plants)
• source of iodine & algin
Ex: Fucus, Ectocarpus etc.

64. Ectocarpus
Fucus

65. Class: RHODOPHYCEAE (Red Algae)
• Seaweeds, found at great depths
• ∞- Carotene, ß-carotene, Leutin, Zeaxanthin, Cryptoxanthin
• phycoerythrin – red pigment & Phycocyanin
• food stored as floridean starch
• cellulose cell wall, Xylans & Galactans
• gelatinous substance coats the thallus – source of agar
• calcium from seawater is deposited in cell walls as calcium
carbonate
• contribute to coral reef formation
• complex sexual life cycle
Ex: Gelidium, Gracilaria, Sargassum, polysiphonia

66. Red Algae
Porphyra - nori use to
wrap uncooked fish &
other food items
Smithora naiadum - a
epiphyte on eel and surf
grass
Pikea robusta

67. -Pigments
- chl a, phycobiliproteins
- phycoerythrin
- phycocyanin * BlueGreen Color
- Allophycocyanin
- ß-carotene, Myxoxanthophyll , Zeaxanthin
- Storage – glycogen, Cyanophycin
- Cell Wall – amino acids, sugars, Muramic Acid
- Flagella Absent
Class: CYANOPHYCEAE (Blue Green Algae)

68. Oscillatoria
Spirulina
Nostoc

69. 1. https://medium.com/@amykwilson/the-incredible-uses-of-algae-798a8f676fe
2. https://www.mixerdirect.com/blogs/mixer-direct-blog/10-surprising-uses-of-algae
3. http://www.fao.org/3/y4765e/y4765e0b.htm
4. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-
sciences/monostroma
5. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/274639748_DIVERSE_APPLICATION
S_OF_ALGAE
6. https://news.algaeworld.org/2017/07/economic-importance-of-algae/