Culture of Hypnea musciformis (Rhodophyta, Gigartinales) on artificial substrates attached to linear ropes

Hypnea musciformis is the only algal species exploited in Brazil as a raw material for the production of k-carrageenan. Natural beds are distributed along a large stretch of coastline and are characterized by erratic production. The viability of H. musciformis mariculture was examined. Artificial su...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Hydrobiologia 1993-01, Vol.260 (1), p.415-420
Main Authors: Berchez, F.A.S. (Sao Paulo Univ., Sao Paulo, SP (Brazil). Inst. de Biociencias), Pereira, R.T.L, Kamiya, N.F
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
BRASIL
BRAZIL
BRESIL
CARRAGEENANS
CARRAGENINAS
CARRAGHENANE
CULTIVO DE ALGAS
CULTURE D'ALGUES
Hypnea musciformis
Marine
RHODOPHYCEAE
SEAWEED CULTURE
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Summary:Hypnea musciformis is the only algal species exploited in Brazil as a raw material for the production of k-carrageenan. Natural beds are distributed along a large stretch of coastline and are characterized by erratic production. The viability of H. musciformis mariculture was examined. Artificial substrates were attached to linear ropes stretched perpendicularly to the rocky shore between cement blocks. The inocula were allowed to attach naturally to the substrates from spores of small pieces of H. musciformis scattered in the water column. The best yields (0.54 wet kg per month) were obtained with unthreaded rope substrates kept in a vertical position by small rafts. Production was highest in the first 18 months off the rocky shore (0-2.1 m deep), at the highest density tested (10 per m), 2-3 months after installing the ropes in the seawater. Nylon and cotton nets gave lower yields. Natural unthreaded fibres were unsuitable and disintegrated in the seawater. Significantly higher yields were obtained during October to February than the rest of the year. The principal factor controlling seasonal production was water movement.
ISSN:0018-8158
1573-5117
DOI:10.1007/BF00049050