Ecklonia maxima – the King of Kelps
Cambrian Biotech is all about Ecklonia maxima. ‘Why Ecklonia’ you might ask.
Well, here is some background:
Mankind has been using seaweeds for centuries in an ever-growing variety of materials & products. Numerous industries; human & animal foods, textile, medical, paper, agricultural, chemical and cosmetics, all utilize seaweed products in one shape or another. These all benefit from the vast and varied properties and compounds present in marine algae.
At this point, it might be helpful to define seaweed and kelp.
Seaweed is grouped in three main groups, depending on color –
1. Phaeophytes, or brown seaweed or kelps,
2. Rhodophytes, the red seaweed group and
3. Chlorophytes, containing all the green pigmented seaweeds.
It is mainly the brown kelp group and the red seaweed group that are exploited for its commercial value. In some areas cultivation of Chlorophytes – unicellular green algae – are underway.
One species of brown kelp, Ecklonia maxima, a member of the Phaeophyte group grows very large on extensive reefs mainly in Southern Africa. This kelp type, in particular, is proving to be a significantly valuable, multi functional, renewable resource.
These marine plants are demanding; they require cold, nutrient rich, sediment-free (clear) ocean currents, originating in the Antarctica, in addition to a rocky coastline, which is regularly subjected to intense wave action and cross-shore wind energy.
Adapting to this harsh and nutrient-rich environment has imparted Ecklonia kelp with certain attributes not found in other members of the same Phaeophyte group.
These environmental factors have created a unique kelp type with extremely high levels of alginates (gel) which explains the rubbery nature and strength of the tissue, a wide range of trace elements, amino acids, vitamins and hormonal compounds. All these components are critical to Ecklonia’s high growth rate. Highly successful re-colonization after natural beach casting during storm conditions and/or commercial harvesting is also a critical factor.
We’ll take a closer look at the properties and applications of Ecklonia maxima, the king of kelps, tomorrow.
Thanks for visiting. SP
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