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| Authority: Thuret |
Type species: Monostroma bullosum (Roth) Thuret |
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| Commercial species: nitidum (NIT) |
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| Common names: Aonori, Aonoriko, Atsukawa-hitoe, Awo-Nori, Green laver, Hai Tsai, Hai-cai, Hida-hitoe, Hitoegusa, Jade Nori, Kito-hitoegusa, Kuro-hitoegusa, Motsuki-hitoe, O-hitoegusa, Sea-lettuce, Yezo-hitoegusa |
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| Classification: Eukaryota, Phylum Chlorophyta, Order Ulvales, Family Monostromataceae. |
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| AlgaeBase names and species: 55 names - 22 current as of 12-2001. |
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| DiveBorneo SeaPlant Utility Rating |
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Developing aquaculture crop used for food & bioactive properties. |
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Description
Bright green in colour. Single cell layer (in contrast to Ulva and Enteromorpha). Slender at the holdfast and growing wider toward the apex, often with a slight funnel shape that has splits down the side. Reproduces seasonally; usually during tropical dry season or temperate spring. |
Habitat
Found in shallow sea water usually less than 1 m. in depth. generally grows on rocks, coral, mollusk shells or other hard substrate but also grows as an epiphyte on sea plants including crops such as Kappaphycus and Eucheuma. |
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| click image & go to source |
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Monostroma production
click country to go to GIS |
Tons per annum
wild harvest |
Tons per annum
cultivated |
| Japan |
n/a |
1,250 |
| Total |
1,250 |
n/a |
1,250 |
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Production
Approximate annual production figures from recent years are as above. |
Biology & Agronomy
Cultivated using methods similar to those used with Porphyra. |
Chemistry
Studies of Monostroma chemistry are in an active phase partly because of the reputed bioactivity of some compounds that are synthesised by the genus. |
Processing
We have several monographs in progress covering analytical procedures post-harvest treatment and process technology. Check the processing index for available web pages and monographs. |
Products, Uses & Applications
Plants generally identified as Monostroma nitidum are cultivated in Okinawa, Japan (Kagoshima), Taiwan China and elsewhere. The most common use is as human food. Monostroma may be chopped and made into sheets in the manner used for Porphyra. Monostroma spp. are also reputed to contain bioactive substances that are useful in topical skin treatments and may have some pharmaceutical applications related to healing of muscle tissue. |
| List of species' uses and community affiliations |
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| Genus |
GenID |
SpID |
Species |
Uses |
Communities |
| Monostroma |
MO |
NIT |
nitidum |
FH |
SV, WB |
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| click to relevant uses or communities on the index/legend table below>>> |
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 to uses to communities  |
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| Monostroma is most strongly associated with the NutraPharm, Seavegetable and Wellbeing communities. |
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