Document Type : Review articles
Authors
1
Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang, Indonesia 50275
2
Department of Oceanography, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang, Indonesia 50275
3
Department of Food Technology and Agricultural Product, Faculty of Food Security, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia 60231
4
Department of Animal Products Technology, Faculty of Animal Science, Universitas Brawijaya, Kediri, Indonesia 64111
10.21608/ejabf.2025.430429.6737
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
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