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Potential new applications for the southern African kelps
WA Stirk, J van Staden
Abstract
The extensive kelp beds comprising four species, off
the west coast of South Africa, provide a large source of raw material that can
be used for various applications. Current uses are: (1) the export of the
unprocessed kelp for alginate extraction, which generates low prices that
fluctuate depending on the world market, (2) processing of Ecklonia maxima
for use as agricultural stimulant, and (3) as abalone feed. However, these
operations use only a fraction of the total annual yield. The future of the
South African seaweed industry lies in developing value-added products. Two
such possibilities include their use as biosorbents in heavy-metal wastewater
remediation and their potential medicinal value.
South African Journal of Botany
2004, 70(1): 145–151
the west coast of South Africa, provide a large source of raw material that can
be used for various applications. Current uses are: (1) the export of the
unprocessed kelp for alginate extraction, which generates low prices that
fluctuate depending on the world market, (2) processing of Ecklonia maxima
for use as agricultural stimulant, and (3) as abalone feed. However, these
operations use only a fraction of the total annual yield. The future of the
South African seaweed industry lies in developing value-added products. Two
such possibilities include their use as biosorbents in heavy-metal wastewater
remediation and their potential medicinal value.
South African Journal of Botany
2004, 70(1): 145–151
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South African Journal of Botany. ISSN: 0254-6299