Present Scenario of Phaeophyceae Utilization

Agar is an algal polysaccharide widely used in biological research, food and Pharmaceutical industries as gelling agents, thickeners, stabilizers, emulsifiers etc. Overexploitation of Agar will lead to the loss of Agar yielding algal population particularly Gracilaria and Gelidium sp. from the environment which are the important component of marine biodiversity. The commercial exploitation of seaweeds from the natural seaweed beds of Tamil Nadu is approximately 6000 tonnes (dry weight) per year. Agarose is one of the expensive algal materials. Reusing of Agar in biological research would helpful to conserve the biodiversity. To reduce the over exploitation of algal resources, there will be recycling process is required. Using reclaimed Agar will reduce the purchasing cost of Agarose as well as concern with biodiversity concervation. This review article is focused on the present scenario of Agarophytes, production, overexploitation, recycling of Agar and conservation strategies.