Fucus vesiculosus L.
Fam. Fucaceae
Feofita = Brown algae
Common names : marine oak, kelp algae, black tip.
Description
Fucus is a seaweed with a thallus up to 2 meters long, soft and flattened, of an olive green color, divided into a rhizoid, or basal disk with a suction cup with which it adheres to the rock, a jamb provided with two flattened wing parts, and of a frond, with dichotomous branching, which results in two ribbon-shaped sheets up to 5 cm wide, with a median rib more or less evident depending on the species. This does not contain conducting vessels: it is simply a thickening.
The talus of the fucus are complex, presenting an epidermis, a cortex and a central region. median more or less evident depending on the species. This does not contain conducting vessels: it is simply a thickening.
At the end of some plates there are reproductive swellings. These are studded with protrusions that are called CONCEPT ACTIONS and correspond to spherical cavities communicating with the outside through a canalicolo (ostiolo). They are swollen due to the presence of deposits of gelatinous substances, and contain the female gametes (oosphere) or the male gametes (anterozoids).
Fucaceae are aplodiplonti organisms with a clear prevalence of the diploid phase (sporophyte). Within the conceptacles, meiosis and the production of meiospores take place, and they all become gametes (oosphere and anterozoa). In fact, Fucus has a gametophyte without vegetative cells. The vegetative reproduction takes place by fragmentation of the thallus: - when it is fixed to the substrate, it is divided into several portions which, however, remain firmly attached to the parent; - when, due to the mechanical action of the waves, the portions detach, new individuals are formed
Areal
The majority of the species of the genus Fucus inhabit the cold seas, however there are some with a large tolerance for the temperate and warm regions which, however, lose their capacity for sexual reproduction.
Fucus vesiculosus is common in the British and Atlantic islands of America and northern Europe, it also grows along the rocky coasts of Morocco, reproducing itself solely by fragmentation.
Cultivation Technique
Thanks to its ability to reproduce vegetatively by fragmentation, Fucus vesiculosus lends itself to rational harvesting in large quantities. For this reason it is often cultivated even if the operations are, of course, different from those of the common agriculture. In general, stretches of sea are chosen where a certain number of specimens already live, but where the environmental conditions are not favorable to good propagation. An example is the sandy or too deep seabed. In these cases the alga growers throw large stones with rough surfaces into the sea, at a convenient depth and distributed over lots of considerable area, limited by corridors so as to allow vegetation-free passageways for cutting and harvesting operations. The sea currents and the wave motions take charge of the propagation of the species by transporting the fertilized oosphere, always produced in large numbers, in the prepared areas. Here they, settling down, find a favorable environment for germination and for the growth of thalli that are ready to be mowed from the second year of life. Outside the water the Fucus vesiculosus dies after about 5 hours.
CONTENT: rich in mineral salts, Vit. C, carotenes
DRUGS: it is represented by FRONDE.
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: inorganic and protein iodine, potassium, mineral salts, vitamins, alginic acid, carbohydrates, carotenoids, bromophenols, ascorbic acid
uses
Phytotherapy for its content of iodine and bromine, fucus is indicated against hypothyroidism; moreover it is a hemostatic agent; due to the presence of numerous vitamins and minerals it is an excellent supplement; it is effective against gastro-esophageal reflux thanks to the viscous gels formed by the alginates that go to protect the stomach mucosa. Algina is used in pharmacies as an excipient due to its emulsifying properties.
Dietetics : fucus is used as a stimulant of basal metabolism in cases of obesity and is widely used in slimming products (because it produces a sense of satiety by producing a gel in the stomach). To learn more about the dietetic and phytotherapeutic uses of fucus click here ..
Feeding: the organic derivatives of alginates are used as food rubbers, thickeners in the production of ice creams, puddings and processed cheeses.
Cosmetics: in numerous phytocosmetic preparations, especially remineralizing and slimming; Alginates are used as colloids and as anti-cellulite products. Deepening: fucus extract in cosmetics
Industry: red wool dyes and fabrics. The alginic acid obtained from fucus can be processed to obtain textile fibers, also used in surgery, and a plastic material used to make films, gels and rubbers. Algina is used in industry as a condenser and stabilizer in the food industry (sweets, ice creams), textiles (sizing), leather, hydrocarbons (emulsifies, solidifies and makes the products non-flammable), in lubricants, in fighting fires, in the manufacture of paper and cardboard.
Agriculture: Fucus is used as a forage, organic fertilizer and as vegetable phytotherapies in organic farming.
