| Authority:
Doty ex P.C. Silva
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Type
species:
Betaphycus philippinensis
Doty
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| Commercial
species: gelatinae
(GEL)
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| Common
names: Eucheuma, Gelatinae (also see Eucheuma names) |
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Classification: Eukaryota, Phylum
Rhodophyta, Class Rhodophyceae, Subclass Florideophycidae, Order
Gigartinales, Family Areschougiaceae. |
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| AlgaeBase
names and species: 3 names - 3 current as of 12-2001. |
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For a thorough
treatment see SuriaLink 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 |
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Production
Approximate annual production figures from recent
years are as above.
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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.
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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.
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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 |
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| Genus |
GenID |
SpID |
Species |
Uses |
Communities |
| Betaphycus |
BE |
GEL |
gelatinae |
FI |
BP |
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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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Betaphycus is most strongly associated with the
Biopolymer
community.
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