What Eats Algae?

Algae are a huge group of organisms, ranging from the single celled forms to the multi-celled forms. Algae include seaweed, kelp, and red, brown, or green algae.

Algae are photosynthetic organisms, meaning they use sunlight and chlorophyll to make food. At one time, they were thought to be plants, but are not because they lack roots, stems and leaves. 

They live all over the world, from the oceans to the desert, and from hot springs to snow and ice. In the Pacific Ocean, giant kelps, growing over 65 yards in length, form a marine forest. There have been fossil records found of algae dating back three billion years.    

Algae Eaters

Since algae are such a large group or organisms, many things eat them, including: fish, sea urchins, worms, snails, sea turtles, seals, crustaceans, and even humans. 

Seaweed is highly nutritious, delicious, and can be cooked with pasta, put in salads, used in meat dishes, all because of its versatility.  In a book of poetry from China, written over 3000 years ago, reference was made to a lady who cooked sea plants. They were considered a delicacy, and offered during sacrifices to their ancestors.

Benefits of Algae

Sea plants are the most nutrient-rich plants in the world. Every mineral you need is in sea plants, so the health benefits are endless. 

Your body will be rid of toxins and your blood enriched. Your hair will shine, your brain will be sharp, and your skin will have a healthy glow. It will strengthen your teeth and immune system, while preventing allergies and reducing aging.  It gives you energy and stunts the growth of tumors.  

Brown Algae

A product called "Alginate" is made from brown algae and is used for thickening, emulsifying, and suspending. It is used in making ice cream, cheeses, custards, pastry fillings, syrups, puddings, jams and jellies, sauces, and salad dressings, just to name a few. Alginate is used by dentists to make impressions of teeth, and is found in medicinal capsules and tablets, lotions, and creams. Industrial uses include adhesives, air freshener gels, explosives, and ceramics.  

Red Algae

Agar comes from Red Algae and is a colloidal product like Alginate. It also thickens, stabilizes, and forms gels. It is used much like Alginate in the making of food products that need thickening, like sauces and puddings. It is of great value in the pharmaceutical industry, especially in the production of time-released drugs. It is also an ingredient in laxatives, ulcer products, and shampoos. It is used in cleaners, fertilizers, and pesticides, and is used in sewage treatment facilities.  

Future Uses

Algal fuel, or algae fuel, is a biofuel made from algae. Part of it can become biodiesel, and the carbohydrates can be fermented and become bioethanol and biobutanol. 

Because algae grow quickly, much faster than land crops, they can produce oil at a high rate. This can be turned into biodiesel for cars. A solar-powered biorefinery can make butanol from algae. It can replace gasoline in most cars. When blended with gasoline, it resists corrosion and improves performance of the car better than either ethanol or E85. Research and development is being conducted on Algae jet fuel, and, as of 2010, the United States military is beginning large scale production of jet fuel from algae.