Sustainable Global Resources of Seaweeds Volume 2: Food, Pharmaceutical and Health Applications

Marine plant life is a rich source of nutrients that can provide health benefits. The seaweed industry is valued at $12 billion and is growing globally. This text provides an overview of the application of seaweeds into food, pharmaceuticals, and other health-based applications, including their nutritional properties and health benefits.

Format: Hardback
Length: 650 pages
Publication date: 29 March 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

Marine plant life is a bountiful provider of essential nutrients that enrich our daily diets. In recent years, incorporating diets rich in seaweeds or their extracts has been proven to offer numerous health benefits, owing to their abundance of macronutrients, micronutrients, and nutraceuticals. The commercial value of seaweeds for human consumption is on the rise, with some countries harvesting millions of tons annually. In 2017, the seaweed industry was valued at approximately $12 billion, providing sustenance for millions of families worldwide. Global seaweed production expanded by 30 million tons in 2016. Seaweeds have gained increasing prominence in the food industry due to their wealth of beneficial nutrients, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids. To date, no comprehensive books exist that provide up-to-date information on seaweed cultivation, processing, extraction, and nutritional properties. This text serves as a comprehensive guide, outlining the properties and applications of seaweeds across various sectors.

The first section delves into the diverse range of foods derived from seaweeds, offering in-depth insights into the beneficial nutrients these plants contain. Extensive coverage is provided on the various functional foods derived from sea plants, encompassing foods from tropical seaweeds, macroalgae, Monostroma, Caulerpa, Palmaria, Gracillaria, Porphyra, Laminaria, Fucus, Undaria, and numerous others. The chapters delve deeper into the nutritional composition, health benefits, and chemical makeup of these foods.

A second section is dedicated to the pharmaceutical application of seaweeds. It explores the potential of these plants in developing new drugs and therapies for various health conditions. The text discusses the isolation and characterization of active compounds from seaweeds, as well as their biological activities and mechanisms of action. Examples of successful seaweed-based pharmaceuticals are provided, highlighting their therapeutic benefits and the ongoing research in this field.

In conclusion, Marine plant life is a valuable resource that offers a wealth of nutrients and health benefits. The increasing commercial value and growing demand for seaweeds highlight their potential as a sustainable and valuable crop. Sustainable Global Resources of Seaweeds Volume 2: Industrial Perspectives provides a comprehensive overview of the applications of seaweeds in food, pharmaceuticals, and other health-based applications. By exploring the nutritional composition, health benefits, and pharmaceutical applications of seaweeds, this text contributes to our understanding of the potential of these plants as a valuable resource for human well-being.

Weight: 1178g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030921736
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022