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Authority: Kützing |
Type species: Cladosiphon mediterraneus Kützing |
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Commercial species: okamuranus (OKA) |
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Common names: Cladosiphon, Mozuku, Limu tanga'u (Tonga) |
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Classification: Eukaryota, Phylum Heterokontophyta, Order Ectocarpales, Family Chordariaceae. |
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AlgaeBase names and species: 20 names - 10 current as of 12-2001. |
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Cladosiphon production click country to go to GIS |
Tons per annum wild harvest |
Tons per annum cultivated |
Japan |
1,500? (may be confused with Nemacystus) |
500? |
Tonga |
400 |
400? |
Total |
1,900 |
1,900 |
900? |
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Production Approximate annual production figures from recent years are as above. Note that both Cladosiphon and Nemacystus are known as "mozuku" in Japan, Okinawa, Pacific Oceania and elsewhere so it is difficult to distinguish harvest volumes based on genus. |
Biology & Agronomy Grown on nets and/or in raceways in Japan, Okinawa and Tonga. |
Chemistry Source of alginates and fucoidan. |
Processing We have several monographs in progress covering analytical procedures post-harvest treatment and process technology. Check the processing index for available web pages and monographs. |
Products, Uses & Applications Cladosiphon has established use as a sea vegetable and, along with Nemacystus, is widely known commercially as "mozuku". These genera are also a source of the group of bioactive sulphated polysaccharides known as "fucoidan". Fucoidan is receiving attention in medical research circles because it appears to have anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and anti-coagulant properties. Cladosiphon is also a source of alginates but does not seem to be extensively used as a commercial source of these biopolymers.
List of species' uses and community affiliations |
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Genus |
GenID |
SpID |
Species |
Uses |
Communities |
Cladosiphon |
CL |
OKA |
okamuranus |
FA, FI, FF, IA, PA, MD |
AI, BP, NP, SV, WB |
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click to relevant uses or communities on the index/legend table below>>> |
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to uses to communities |
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Cladosiphon is most strongly associated with the Agri-Industry, Biopolymer, NutriPharm, Seavegetables and Wellbeing communities. |
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