Brown Algae

General characteristics

1. Also called Phaeophyceae and it's containing a brown pigment called fucoxanthin. This color will envelop the green color of the chlorophyll contained in the tissue.
2. Almost all types of brown algae are marine plants.
3. Have a very diverse body shape and structure.
4. Some brown algae are in the form of filaments and others are shaped like sheets or ribbons.
5. Certain members of the brown algae group have a structure resembling leaves and stems of plants. Its function is to produce spores. Spores are the sex cells of this type of brown algae.
6. Brown algae have high economic value because it can be eaten and sold.
7. Brown algae is also a source of food for fish and other animals living in the sea. Sometimes, these algae are also taken from the sea as fodder.
8. Brown algae can be eaten raw or dried or made into a soup maker. Some species produce iodine which is used to prevent mumps in humans.
9. Some types of brown algae can also be used as fertilizer to fertilize the soil.

Brown algae species
Some seaweed is a member of brown algae. Here are some types of identified chocolate algae.
1. Macrocystis pyrifera.

• It is a giant seaweed and is the longest plant in the world.
• Can grow up to 30 meters long at the bottom of the sea with a depth of 15 meters or more.
• This seaweed can be harvested and used as a source of algin (a substance containing gelatin used in the process of making ice cream and various other dishes).
  

2. Nereocystis leutkeana

• Is a ribbon-shaped seaweed.
• Often encountered along the beach is rocky and sandy. These algae often float on the surface of seawater and hamper the speed of small boats.

3. Postelsia palmaeformis
It is a sea palm and lives only to the north of the Pacific coast.

4. Laminaria
It is the usual seaweed and lives up to 2.5 meters long.

5. Fucus

• It is a brown alga that alternately sinks and floats on the surface of seawater. These algae live on the surface of the coral.
• This type of plant has many branches and at the end of it, there are many pockets.
• Gametes develop at the end of the plant and serve as a breeding tool.

6. Sargassum

• Also called bay algae.
• Have a bubble bag.
• Has a leaf-like structure that sticks to the stem. The size of the leaves varies, some are short and some are long.
• Live attached to the reefs that are exposed to the ocean waves.

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