Progress in Gracilaria Biology and Developmental Utilization: Main Issues and Prospective

The red algal genus Gracilaria is harvested and cultured on a commercial scale in many countries because it has considerable economic importance as an agarophyte. Total annual world Gracilaria production increases every year. Gracilaria plants are also used as sources of traditional seaweed salad and as feed for shellfish (abalone) in many countries. Recently some bioactive substances from Gracilaria spp. have been extracted and reported. The aim of this article is to introduce the uses, life history, influential factors, and cultivation of Gracilaria. This information will be essential to develop increased production of Gracilaria and new applications for the algae.