Algae is a common marine organism, but its uses are very wide.
Seaweed polysaccharide compounds are the most important components of seaweed . These compounds and their modification and degradation products are important components of marine biologically active substances. There are two methods for separating and extracting seaweed polysaccharide and its modification and degradation products, including chemical mechanical method and enzymatic hydrolysis method.
Seaweed is rich in natural pigments, including chlorophyll, carotenoids , lutein , etc. The extraction of pigments is divided into two categories. Fat-soluble pigments are generally extracted using organic solvents, while water-soluble pigments can be extracted by cell grinding and centrifugal drying. At present, phycocyanin and carotenoids in Spirulina have become components of food colorants and cosmetics and are being produced commercially.
Cyanobacteria contain a special type of light and auxiliary pigment-algae protein, which accounts for 10% to 20% of the dry weight of two large cells. Phycobiliproteins include phycocyanin , phycocyanin and phycoerythrin. kind. They are excellent biochemical probes in techniques such as immunoassays, fluorescence microscopy, and flow cytometry. At the same time, phycobiliprotein has anti-tumor effects and is an important functional food ingredient. It has broad application prospects in "functional foods", "health foods" and "designed foods".
In addition, seaweed is rich in trace elements. In addition to containing more constant elements such as Na, K, Ca, Mg, it also contains more than a dozen trace elements such as I, P, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, etc. These trace elements Most of the elements exist in the form of organic active forms that the human body can directly absorb and utilize. Therefore, seaweed is called a "treasure house of natural trace elements."
Xunyu Notes Tips: The physiologically active trace elements in seaweed mainly include I, Se and Zn. These three trace elements are necessary for the nutrition of human body and animals. Iodine is used to treat iodine-deficient goiter, and can also prevent childhood dementia and has anti-inflammatory effects; Selenium in seaweed can be used as a natural source of effective selenium for the human body, and has certain auxiliary cancer treatment effects; zinc has the ability to promote It has the function of developing human brain and nerve cells and enhancing human immune function.
