Importance of Algae and Evaluation in Industry

Abstract

Algae (unicellular microalgae) are living things that are able to perform microscopic photosynthesis and live on the land and in the sea. They are evaluated to have started life and conveyed it to the land; and they are stated to have existed for 5 billion years by scientists. It is known that about 30,000 types of algae, estimated to exist in a range from 200,000 to 2-3 million types in nature, have been recorded so far; and that merely a few types of them have been able to be commercialized. Algae have highly rich carbohydrate, protein and especially oil acid content. Algae, rich in terms of nutritious value, are the most crucial source of nutrients, vitamins and trace elements for living things in water. They also supply necessary basic pigmentation development for fish and other sea creatures. The fact that aquatic products in seas and fresh waters are caught in extreme amounts has led to the increase in environmental problems and inland water pollution and decrease in the number of organisms living in these environments. Therefore, cultivation activities of algae growing have gained speed. In the plants where algae cultivation is carried out, algae culture units are the most important and inevitable step in larva feeding. Algae, one of the most significant food sources of marine life, are used as energy, food, agriculture, cosmetics, medicine and pharmacy, nutrients and mineral source. Also, it is known that they are used in numerous fields of industry such as forage, fertilizer, waste treatment, and dentistry, alcohol, pharmaceutical, paper, paint, rubber, textile, industry, and in their usage of solid and liquid oils and hydrocarbons and aquaculture and waste water treatment. The aim of this study is to emphasize usage of algae, one of the most important sources of marine life, and draw attention to the importance of algae culture and related industry.