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| Authority: Derbès & Solier |
Type species: Nemacystus flexuosus (C. Agardh) Kylin |
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| Commercial species: decipiens (DEC) |
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| Common names: Itomozuku, Mozuka, Mozuku |
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| Classification: Eukaryota, Phylum Heterokontophyta, Order Ectocarpales, Family Chordariaceae. |
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| AlgaeBase names and species: 12 names - 7 current as of 12-2001. |
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Nemacystus production
click country to go to GIS |
Tons per annum
wild harvest |
Tons per annum
cultivated |
| Japan |
1,500? (may be confused with Cladosiphon) |
500? |
| Total |
1,500? |
1,500? |
500? |
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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. |
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
Nemacystus has established use as a sea vegetable and, along with Cladosiphon, 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. Nemacystus 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 |
| Nemacystus |
NM |
DEC |
decipiens |
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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| Nemacystus is most strongly associated with the Agro-Industry, Biopolymer, NutriPharm, Seavegetables and Wellbeing communities. |
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