Caulerpa racemosa

(Forsskal) Weber van Bosse

Sea Grapes, Green algae

Caulerpaceae Edible: Algae, Seaweed, Frond 2,582 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Caulerpa racemosa is a species of edible green alga, a seaweed in the family Caulerpaceae. It is commonly known as sea grapes (along with the related Caulerpa lentillifera) and is found in many areas of shallow sea around the world. Despite the name, it is not related to grapes. There are a number of different forms and varieties, and one that appeared in the Mediterranean Sea in 1990, which is giving cause for concern as an invasive species.

Description

A green seaweed or algae. It has erect branches. These have club shaped small branches. It can vary a lot and some varieties have been named. The branches end in grape like bunches. There are several forms or varieties.

Edible Uses

Like the closely related C. lentillifera, C. racemosa is edible. It is consumed widely in salads in Japan, Fiji, the Philippines, and Thailand. It is also eaten by local fishermen in Malaysia and Indonesia. They are rich in fiber, proteins, minerals (calcium and magnesium), folic acid, ascorbic acid, vitamin A, and vitamin B1 while also being low in fat. In addition to the nutritional qualities of C. racemosa, it also has anti bacterial and anti-oxidant properties but these characteristics are not yet fully explored. These different biological activities provide a glimpse of biomedical innovations for the future. The properties are believed to come from a strain of rare endophytic actinomycetes that lives in symbiosis with C. racemosa and more particularly of the secondary metabolites produced (flavonoids and alkaloids). Extracts of C. racemosa are already tested to reduce different types of cancer but also to fight against multi-drug resistant uropathogens (as K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa). The multi drug resistance is a major public health problem because by 2050 (World Health Organization WHO), 10 million people could die each year as a result of this evolution of bacteria against the current families of antibiotics. Moreover, a multitude of potential treatments for various pathologies have been identified, particularly for diabetes and herpes.

Traditional Uses

It is eaten raw or as a salad. It is often eaten with freshly grated coconut or coconut milk.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows on sand and rocks along the coast line. It also occurs in mangrove swamps.

Where It Grows

Africa, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Caribbean, Central Africa, Chile, China, Colombia, Cook Islands, Djibouti, East Africa, East Timor, Ethiopia, Europe, Fiji, France, French Polynesia, Gabon, Ghana, Greece, Guam, Hawaii, Hispaniola, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Korea, Lebanon, Liberia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Myanmar, New Caledonia, New Zealand, North Africa, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, Polynesia, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tokelau Islands, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Yemen,

Other Information

It is a commercially important seaweed in Bangladesh.

Nutrition

Part	Moisture	kJ	kcal	Protein	Vit A	Vit C	Iron	Zinc
Seaweed	90	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

Synonyms

Fucus racemosa Forsskal

Also Known As

Ararucip lai-lai, Budu tasi, Fuafua, Konini, Lelatu, Letato, Limu eka, Limu fuafua, Ofu limu, Na, Nama, Nama levulevu, Te'emoa, Te'epuaka, Toke

References (23)

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