Brown algae

Brown algae: definition

The epithet commonly attributed to the Phaeophyceae, brown algae, is due to the brownish-black color given to it by the pigments that compose them: these colored substances - known as fucoxanthin and pheochroma - perfectly camouflage the green color of chlorophyll, which tends to blacken.

Botanical description

Unlike the green ones, brown algae are all multicellular and have different shapes (usually filiform, discoid or branched). They are rather complex organisms, if compared to other types of algae; they live in marine environments, in particular in cold and oxygenated waters: some brown algae live near the surface areas, others, on the other hand, in the depths of the ocean.
The 1,500 species, divided into 250 genera, all differ from the morphological point of view: in fact, in the plant body (called thallus) a root, an axis and the leaves are perfectly distinguished. In the world of algae, more than root, we speak of rhizoid, capable of holding the algae attached to the substrate; the axis is called cauloid, while the leaves - branched, extended and quite broad - are known as phyllodes.
Brown algae can be made up of two types of thalli: the apoplastic, which represents the most simplified thallus, and the hypoplastic, considerably more complex (cell divisions occur in every direction of space). Chloroplasts are made up of photosynthetic membranes, divided, in turn, into lamellae with thylakoids; the membrane is made up internally of cellulose and externally of alginic acid.
Depending on the family to which they belong, brown algae have a different mode of reproduction.

Chemical composition

Brown algae, such as green and red algae, also contain chlorophyll (specifically, type a and c) as well as being particularly rich in carotenes (including beta-carotene and xanthophylls) and other accessory pigments (fucoxanthin). The particular chemical composition of brown algae allows photosynthesis to be carried out even in the depths of the ocean, areas where the solar spectrum does not reach it completely. The cell cytoplasm is composed of a polysaccharide, known as laminaran.
Brown algae produce large quantities of mucilage (eg alginates), very useful for maintaining algal hydration.
Brown algae are rich in carbon hydrates and iodine: due to their large amount of iodine, brown algae have been widely exploited since the past for the treatment of endemic goiter (hypothyroidism). In particular, we remember the Kalm seaweed, the Kombu seaweed and the Kelp seaweed: the richness in terms of iodine is exploited in phytotherapy in order to stimulate the thyroid gland.

It should be remembered that herbal products based on brown algae (and algae rich in iodine in general) must be used with extreme caution even by those suffering from hypothyroidism: overdosing could in fact cause situations of hyperthyroidism, associated with alterations of the "mood, tremors, thyroid dysfunction, tachycardia and arterial hypertension.

Employments

As mentioned in the previous paragraph, the most important property attributable to brown algae is related to the "huge amount of iodine contained in them: in this regard, brown algae are widely used by the herbal and pharmaceutical industry for the production of anti-algae products" hypothyroidism and metabolism stimulants in general (widely used in slimming supplements) Furthermore, it seems that brown algae boast mild diuretic properties, as well as decongesting the urinary tract (internal use).
We have seen that brown algae are made up of alginates: they are mucilaginous substances, useful for the formulation of herbal and pharmaceutical products adjuvants of low-calorie diets (mainly satiating properties).
Alginic acid is also used in the food industry, in particular for the production of ice cream.
Brown algae are also used in agriculture as excellent organic fertilizers.

Summary

Brown algae: in short

Brown algae: general description Phaeophyceae are called brown algae due to their particular brownish-black color. They are rather complex multicellular organisms. Brown algae: pigments Fucoxanthin and pheochroma Brown algae: botanical description

• Habitat: they live in marine environments, in particular in cold and oxygenated waters
• There are 1,500 species divided into 250 genera
• Morphology: distinction of root (rhizoid), axis (cauloid) and leaves (phylloids)
• Thallus: hypoplastic and apoplastic
• Membranes: photosynthetic, divided into lamellae with thylakoids
• Membrane composition: cellulose (internal part) and alginic acid (external part)
• Cell cytoplasm: composed of laminaran (polysaccharide)

Brown algae: chemical composition

• Chlorophyll type a and c
• Carotenes (including beta-carotene and xanthophylls)
• Accessory pigments (fucoxanthin)
• Polysaccharide (laminaran)
• Mucilage (eg. Alginates)
• Carbon hydrates
• Iodine

Brown algae and iodine Kalm seaweed, kombu seaweed and Kelp seaweed → particularly rich in iodine: used in the formulation of phytotherapeutic products for the treatment of endemic goiter
Overdose → hyperthyroidism, mood changes, tremors, thyroid dysfunction, tachycardia, high blood pressure and lethargy Brown algae: uses

• Formulation of products against hypothyroidism
• Blande diuretic properties
• Decongestants of the urinary tract
• Adjuvants of low-calorie diets (thanks to alginates)
• Food industry (ice cream production)
• Agriculture: excellent organic fertilizers

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