Green Gold of the Ocean: Unlocking the Potential of Caulerpa in Global Seaweed Markets – A Review | ||
| Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries | ||
| Volume 29, Issue 5, September and October 2025, Pages 2673-2700 PDF (721.66 K) | ||
| Document Type: Review articles | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejabf.2025.430429.6737 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Seto Windarto* 1; Yusuf Jati Wijaya2; Diwyacitta Antya Putri3; Ahmad Khoirul Umam4 | ||
| 1Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang, Indonesia 50275 | ||
| 2Department of Oceanography, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang, Indonesia 50275 | ||
| 3Department of Food Technology and Agricultural Product, Faculty of Food Security, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia 60231 | ||
| 4Department of Animal Products Technology, Faculty of Animal Science, Universitas Brawijaya, Kediri, Indonesia 64111 | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Seaweeds support food, health, and sustainability, yet global production is dominated by red and brown taxa. The green macroalga Caulerpa (“sea grapes”/“green caviar”) remains underutilized despite notable nutritional and functional potential. This review synthesizes current knowledge on Caulerpa taxonomy, biology, distribution, cultivation, utilization, and sustainability. As siphonous, coenocytic algae, Caulerpa spp. are prevalent in tropical–subtropical waters, with some lineages invasive outside native ranges. Farming spans traditional lagoon culture in Southeast Asia to modern aquaculture and IMTA. Post-harvest advances (e.g., brining, UV-C, improved packaging) extend shelf life, though quality trade-offs remain. Nutritionally, Caulerpa provides proteins, polysaccharides, PUFAs, minerals, and vitamins; bioactives (e.g., sulfated polysaccharides, caulerpin, caulerpenyne) exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic activities primarily in experimental models. Applications include foods, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, fertilizers/feeds, and bioenergy. Key constraints are short shelf life, variable cultivation standards, limited market acceptance beyond Asia, and ecological/biosecurity risks. Priorities include standardized cultivation and post-harvest protocols, selective breeding, toxicology and exposure assessments, and enabling harmonized policies. With sustainable management, Caulerpa could evolve from niche product to “green gold of the ocean,” aligning ecological responsibility with economic opportunity. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Edible algae; Global markets; Macroalgae; Nutraceuticals; Sustainable aquaculture | ||
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