Description | urcellaria lumbricalis is a red algae (seaweed) Gdthat grows as a dark, cylindrical, regularly dichotomously branched frond. A single main axis arises from a branched holdfast, forming a single dichotomous (Y-shaped) branch. From there, all branches branch twice, with branchlets growing shorter towards the pointed apices. Overall, Furcellaria lumbricalis is very cartilaginous in texture and dark reddish-brown in color, drying to black. Fronds can reach a maximum length of 30 centimeters
Furcellaria lumbricalis is an economically important species around the Baltic Sea region where it is harvested as a raw material in the production of carageenans, a compound that is used extensively in the food industry as a stabilizer and thickener in products like ice cream, pudding, and gelatinized items to name a few. Extracts of Furcellaria lumbricalis are also utilized in cosmetic products for thickening and stabilization as well as added minerals and skin softening agents. |