| Authority: Doty ex P.C. Silva |
Type species: Betaphycus philippinensis Doty |
|
| Commercial species: gelatinae (GEL) |
|
| Common names: Eucheuma, Gelatinae (also see Eucheuma names) |
|
|
| Classification: Eukaryota, Phylum Rhodophyta, Class Rhodophyceae, Subclass Florideophycidae, Order Gigartinales, Family Areschougiaceae. |
|
| AlgaeBase names and species: 3 names - 3 current as of 12-2001. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| For a thorough treatment see DiveBorneo Monograph # 1-0703 |
The ABC of Eucheuma Seaplant Production
Agronomy, Biology and Crop-handling of Betaphycus, Eucheuma and Kappaphycus
the Gelatinae, Spinosum and Cottonii of Commerce |
Betaphycus Production
click country to go to GIS |
Tons per annum
wild harvest |
Tons per annum
cultivated |
| China |
300 |
n/a |
| Philippines |
n/a |
n/a |
| Vietnam |
n/a |
n/a |
| Total |
300 |
300 |
n/a |
|
Production
Approximate annual production figures from recent years are as above. |
Biology & Agronomy
Harvested from the wild but also cultivated to some extent in China. Tends to grow slowly. The generic name "Betaphycus" may be on slightly shaky ground among taxonomists but the carrageenan synthesised by this genus are distinct from a commercial standpoint and the plants deserve a separate classification from that viewpoint. |
Chemistry
A source of beta carrageenan - a biopolymer rather similar to the extract of Furcellaria. |
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
Minor source of carrageenan. Would probably find more uses if it could be cultivated at a price similar to that of Kappaphycus or Eucheuma. |
| List of species' uses and community affiliations |
|
| Genus |
GenID |
SpID |
Species |
Uses |
Communities |
| Betaphycus |
BE |
GEL |
gelatinae |
FI |
BP |
|
| click to relevant uses or communities on the index/legend table below>>> |
|
|
|
|
 to uses to communities  |
|
|
|
| Betaphycus is most strongly associated with the Biopolymer community. |
