The distribution of Gracilaria species in selected areas in divisions Kuching and Samarahan, Sarawak and their agar yield and properties

Abstract

The red seaweed (Rhodophyta) genus Graci/aria (Greville, 1830) is currently the world's major source of agar. Various studies have been done on their taxonomy, ecology, biology and agar composition. Nevertheless, it is well known that the agar yield and quality of Graci/aria varies within species, season, growth stages and alkali treatment temperature of the algae. In Sarawak, this seaweed is called ''janggut" or "janggut duyong" by the local people and it was collected as sea vegetable. Surveys on this genus in divisions Kuching and Samarahan, Sarawak were done for the study of their distribution and enough samples were collected to determine their potential as agar resources.