Economic Importance and Traditional Knowledge on Marine Macroalgae among Locals of Sacol Island, Zamboanga City, Philippines
Abstract
Marine macroalgae have various uses and hold significant economic importance for locals living in coastal communities due to their diverse health-promoting activities and nutritional benefits. This study identified and explored economically important marine macroalgae and the traditional knowledge among locals residing in Pasilmanta, Sacol Island, Zamboanga City, Philippines. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with local informants (N=30) belonging to different ethnolinguistic groups—Sama-Banguingui, Yakan, and Tausug—who were selected through snowball sampling. Seven (7) species of marine macroalgae, mainly from the classes Chlorophyta and Phaeophyta, were reported to have ethnomedicinal properties and are considered economically important. A literature review of the bioactivities and active physiological components of the documented algal species is also presented in this paper. Further research, community immersion, and field mapping of marine macroalgae covering the four main barangays of Sacol Island are recommended to provide a conclusive report and comprehensive documentation of the economic importance and traditional knowledge on seaweeds specific to the island’s inhabitants. Voucher specimens for a herbarium, a database for online reference, and an educational brochure are the tangible outcomes of this study.
Keywords:
Chlorophyta, Ethnomedicinal, Phaeophyta, Seaweeds, Traditional Knowledge
Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
References
Ali, M. Q., Azhar, M. A., Munaim, M. S. A., Ruslan, N. F., Alsubhi, L. M., Ahmad, N., & Noman, A. E. (2024). Seaweed organic compounds source of hydrocolloids and sustainable food packaging: properties, application, and future direction. Discover Food, 4(1), 101. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44187-024-00173-w
Arunkumar, K., Raj, R., Raja, R., & Carvalho, I. S. (2021). Brown seaweeds as a source of anti-hyaluronidase compounds. South African Journal of Botany, 139, 470-477. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2021.03.036
Bayu, A., & Handayani, T. (2018, December). High-value chemicals from marine macroalgae: opportunities and challenges for marine-based bioenergy development. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (Vol. 209, No. 1, p. 012046). IOP Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/209/1/012046
Belkacemi, L., Belalia, M., Djendara, A. C., & Bouhadda, Y. (2020). Antioxidant and antibacterial activities and identification of bioactive compounds of various extracts of Caulerpa racemosa from Algerian coast. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 10(2), 87-94. https://doi.org/10.4103/2221-1691.275423
Bhuyar, P., Sundararaju, S., Rahim, M. H. A., Unpaprom, Y., Maniam, G. P., & Govindan, N. (2021). Antioxidative study of polysaccharides extracted from red (Kappaphycus alvarezii), green (Kappaphycus striatus) and brown (Padina gymnospora) marine macroalgae/seaweed. SN Applied Sciences, 3, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-021-04477-9
Čmiková, N., Kowalczewski, P. Ł., Kmiecik, D., Tomczak, A., Drożdżyńska, A., Ślachciński, M., ... & Kačániová, M. (2024). Seaweed Nutritional Value and Bioactive Properties: Insights from Ascophyllum nodosum, Palmaria palmata, and Chondrus crispus. Life, 14(11), 1522. https://doi.org/10.3390/life14111522
De Guzman, A. A., Jamanulla, C. E. V. A., Sabturani, A. M., & Madjos, G. (2020). Ethnobotany and physiological review on folkloric medicinal plants of the Visayans in Ipil and Siay, Zamboanga Sibugay, Philippines. International Journal of Herbal Medicine, 8(3), 8-16. Available at: https://www.florajournal.com/archives/2020/vol8issue3/PartA/7-4-92-198.pdf
Fauziee, N. A. M., Chang, L. S., Mustapha, W. A. W., Nor, A. R. M., & Lim, S. J. (2021). Functional polysaccharides of fucoidan, laminaran and alginate from Malaysian brown seaweeds (Sargassum polycystum, Turbinaria ornata and Padina boryana). International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 167, 1135-1145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.11.067
Gomaa, M., Al-Badaani, A. A., Hifney, A. F., & Adam, M. S. (2022). Utilization of cellulose and ulvan from the green seaweed Ulva lactuca in the development of composite edible films with natural antioxidant properties. Journal of Applied Phycology, 34(5), 2615-2626. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-022-02786-z
Janke, L. (2024). Mapping the global mass flow of seaweed: Cultivation to industry application. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 28(5), 1256-1269. https://doi.org/10.1111/jiec.13539
Jibril, S. M., Jakada, B. H., Umar, H. Y., & Ahmad, T. A. Q. (2016). Importance of some algal species as a source of food and supplement. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 5(5), 186-193. https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2016.505.020
Khatulistiani, T. S., Noviendri, D., Munifah, I., & Melanie, S. (2020). Bioactivities of red seaweed extracts from Banten, Indonesia. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (Vol. 404, No. 1, p. 012065). IOP Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/404/1/012065
Lee, M. K., Ryu, H., Lee, J. Y., Jeong, H. H., Baek, J., Van, J. Y., ... & Lee, B. (2022). Potential beneficial effects of Sargassum spp. in skin aging. Marine Drugs, 20(8), 540. https://doi.org/10.3390/md20080540
Ludher, E., & Woo, W.-L. (2024). Seaweed: Prospects for Decarbonisation and Food Security in Southeast Asia. Available at: https://www.iseas.edu.sg/articles-commentaries/iseas-perspective/2024-88-seaweed-prospects-for-decarbonisation-and-food-security-in-southeast-asia-by-elyssa-ludher-and-wei-li-woo/
Mathew, F., & Saral, A. M. (2017). Pharmaceutical and commercial importance of marine organisms-a review. Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology, 10(12), 4429-4438. https://doi.org/10.5958/0974-360X.2017.00816.2
Matos, J., Cardoso, C., Serralheiro, M. L., Bandarra, N. M., & Afonso, C. (2024). Seaweed bioactives potential as nutraceuticals and functional ingredients: A review. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 133, 106453. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2024.106453
Mohamed, G. (2015). Current trends and prospects of seaweed farming in India. https://eprints.cmfri.org.in/10671/
Moubayed, N. M., Al Houri, H. J., Al Khulaifi, M. M., & Al Farraj, D. A. (2017). Antimicrobial, antioxidant properties and chemical composition of seaweeds collected from Saudi Arabia (Red Sea and Arabian Gulf). Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, 24(1), 162-169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2016.05.018
Nanda, S., Kumar, G., & Hussain, S. (2022). Utilization of seaweed-based biostimulants in improving plant and soil health: current updates and future prospective. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 19(12), 12839-12852. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s13762-021-03568-9
Pangestuti, R., Haq, M., Rahmadi, P., & Chun, B. S. (2021). Nutritional value and biofunctionalities of two edible green seaweeds (Ulva lactuca and Caulerpa racemosa) from Indonesia by subcritical water hydrolysis. Marine Drugs, 19(10), 578. https://doi.org/10.3390/md19100578
Pappou, S., Dardavila, M. M., Savvidou, M. G., Louli, V., Magoulas, K., & Voutsas, E. (2022). Extraction of bioactive compounds from Ulva lactuca. Applied Sciences, 12(4), 2117. https://doi.org/10.3390/app12042117
Rushdi, M. I., Abdel-Rahman, I. A., Attia, E. Z., Abdelraheem, W. M., Saber, H., Madkour, H. A., ... & Abdelmohsen, U. R. (2020). A review on the diversity, chemical and pharmacological potential of the green algae genus Caulerpa. South African Journal of Botany, 132, 226-241. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2020.04.031
Sudhakar, K., Mamat, R., Samykano, M., Azmi, W. H., Ishak, W. F. W., & Yusaf, T. (2018). An overview of marine macroalgae as bioresource. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 91, 165-179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2018.03.100
Sultana, F., Wahab, M. A., Nahiduzzaman, M., Mohiuddin, M., Iqbal, M. Z., Shakil, A., ... & Asaduzzaman, M. (2023). Seaweed farming for food and nutritional security, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and women empowerment: A review. Aquaculture and Fisheries, 8(5), 463-480. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aaf.2022.09.001
Sumayya, S. S., Sreelekshmi, S. G., & Murugan, K. (2017). Cultivation and economical perspectives of gracillaria: marine seaweed. Kongunadu Research Journal, 4(2), 73-79. https://doi.org/10.26524/krj206
Trivedi, N., Sharma, R., Mondal, A. S., & Dixit, D. (2022). Recent advances in biotechnology of seaweeds: An overview. In: Ranga Rao, A., Ravishankar, G.A. (eds) Sustainable Global Resources of Seaweeds, 1, 627-644. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-91955-9_33
Wang, L., Park, Y. J., Jeon, Y. J., & Ryu, B. (2018). Bioactivities of the edible brown seaweed, Undaria pinnatifida: A review. Aquaculture, 495, 873-880. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2018.06.079
Yap, W. F., Tay, V., Tan, S. H., Yow, Y. Y., & Chew, J. (2019). Decoding antioxidant and antibacterial potentials of Malaysian green seaweeds: Caulerpa racemosa and Caulerpa lentillifera. Antibiotics, 8(3), 152. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics8030152
Yoojam, S., Ontawong, A., Lailerd, N., Mengamphan, K., & Amornlerdpison, D. (2021). The enhancing immune response and anti-inflammatory effects of Caulerpa lentillifera extract in RAW 264.7 cells. Molecules, 26(19), 5734. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26195734
Zhang, M., Zhao, M., Qing, Y., Luo, Y., Xia, G., & Li, Y. (2020). Study on immunostimulatory activity and extraction process optimization of polysaccharides from Caulerpa lentillifera. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 143, 677-684. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.10.042
Arunkumar, K., Raj, R., Raja, R., & Carvalho, I. S. (2021). Brown seaweeds as a source of anti-hyaluronidase compounds. South African Journal of Botany, 139, 470-477. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2021.03.036
Bayu, A., & Handayani, T. (2018, December). High-value chemicals from marine macroalgae: opportunities and challenges for marine-based bioenergy development. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (Vol. 209, No. 1, p. 012046). IOP Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/209/1/012046
Belkacemi, L., Belalia, M., Djendara, A. C., & Bouhadda, Y. (2020). Antioxidant and antibacterial activities and identification of bioactive compounds of various extracts of Caulerpa racemosa from Algerian coast. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 10(2), 87-94. https://doi.org/10.4103/2221-1691.275423
Bhuyar, P., Sundararaju, S., Rahim, M. H. A., Unpaprom, Y., Maniam, G. P., & Govindan, N. (2021). Antioxidative study of polysaccharides extracted from red (Kappaphycus alvarezii), green (Kappaphycus striatus) and brown (Padina gymnospora) marine macroalgae/seaweed. SN Applied Sciences, 3, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-021-04477-9
Čmiková, N., Kowalczewski, P. Ł., Kmiecik, D., Tomczak, A., Drożdżyńska, A., Ślachciński, M., ... & Kačániová, M. (2024). Seaweed Nutritional Value and Bioactive Properties: Insights from Ascophyllum nodosum, Palmaria palmata, and Chondrus crispus. Life, 14(11), 1522. https://doi.org/10.3390/life14111522
De Guzman, A. A., Jamanulla, C. E. V. A., Sabturani, A. M., & Madjos, G. (2020). Ethnobotany and physiological review on folkloric medicinal plants of the Visayans in Ipil and Siay, Zamboanga Sibugay, Philippines. International Journal of Herbal Medicine, 8(3), 8-16. Available at: https://www.florajournal.com/archives/2020/vol8issue3/PartA/7-4-92-198.pdf
Fauziee, N. A. M., Chang, L. S., Mustapha, W. A. W., Nor, A. R. M., & Lim, S. J. (2021). Functional polysaccharides of fucoidan, laminaran and alginate from Malaysian brown seaweeds (Sargassum polycystum, Turbinaria ornata and Padina boryana). International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 167, 1135-1145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.11.067
Gomaa, M., Al-Badaani, A. A., Hifney, A. F., & Adam, M. S. (2022). Utilization of cellulose and ulvan from the green seaweed Ulva lactuca in the development of composite edible films with natural antioxidant properties. Journal of Applied Phycology, 34(5), 2615-2626. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-022-02786-z
Janke, L. (2024). Mapping the global mass flow of seaweed: Cultivation to industry application. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 28(5), 1256-1269. https://doi.org/10.1111/jiec.13539
Jibril, S. M., Jakada, B. H., Umar, H. Y., & Ahmad, T. A. Q. (2016). Importance of some algal species as a source of food and supplement. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 5(5), 186-193. https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2016.505.020
Khatulistiani, T. S., Noviendri, D., Munifah, I., & Melanie, S. (2020). Bioactivities of red seaweed extracts from Banten, Indonesia. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (Vol. 404, No. 1, p. 012065). IOP Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/404/1/012065
Lee, M. K., Ryu, H., Lee, J. Y., Jeong, H. H., Baek, J., Van, J. Y., ... & Lee, B. (2022). Potential beneficial effects of Sargassum spp. in skin aging. Marine Drugs, 20(8), 540. https://doi.org/10.3390/md20080540
Ludher, E., & Woo, W.-L. (2024). Seaweed: Prospects for Decarbonisation and Food Security in Southeast Asia. Available at: https://www.iseas.edu.sg/articles-commentaries/iseas-perspective/2024-88-seaweed-prospects-for-decarbonisation-and-food-security-in-southeast-asia-by-elyssa-ludher-and-wei-li-woo/
Mathew, F., & Saral, A. M. (2017). Pharmaceutical and commercial importance of marine organisms-a review. Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology, 10(12), 4429-4438. https://doi.org/10.5958/0974-360X.2017.00816.2
Matos, J., Cardoso, C., Serralheiro, M. L., Bandarra, N. M., & Afonso, C. (2024). Seaweed bioactives potential as nutraceuticals and functional ingredients: A review. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 133, 106453. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2024.106453
Mohamed, G. (2015). Current trends and prospects of seaweed farming in India. https://eprints.cmfri.org.in/10671/
Moubayed, N. M., Al Houri, H. J., Al Khulaifi, M. M., & Al Farraj, D. A. (2017). Antimicrobial, antioxidant properties and chemical composition of seaweeds collected from Saudi Arabia (Red Sea and Arabian Gulf). Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, 24(1), 162-169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2016.05.018
Nanda, S., Kumar, G., & Hussain, S. (2022). Utilization of seaweed-based biostimulants in improving plant and soil health: current updates and future prospective. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 19(12), 12839-12852. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s13762-021-03568-9
Pangestuti, R., Haq, M., Rahmadi, P., & Chun, B. S. (2021). Nutritional value and biofunctionalities of two edible green seaweeds (Ulva lactuca and Caulerpa racemosa) from Indonesia by subcritical water hydrolysis. Marine Drugs, 19(10), 578. https://doi.org/10.3390/md19100578
Pappou, S., Dardavila, M. M., Savvidou, M. G., Louli, V., Magoulas, K., & Voutsas, E. (2022). Extraction of bioactive compounds from Ulva lactuca. Applied Sciences, 12(4), 2117. https://doi.org/10.3390/app12042117
Rushdi, M. I., Abdel-Rahman, I. A., Attia, E. Z., Abdelraheem, W. M., Saber, H., Madkour, H. A., ... & Abdelmohsen, U. R. (2020). A review on the diversity, chemical and pharmacological potential of the green algae genus Caulerpa. South African Journal of Botany, 132, 226-241. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2020.04.031
Sudhakar, K., Mamat, R., Samykano, M., Azmi, W. H., Ishak, W. F. W., & Yusaf, T. (2018). An overview of marine macroalgae as bioresource. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 91, 165-179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2018.03.100
Sultana, F., Wahab, M. A., Nahiduzzaman, M., Mohiuddin, M., Iqbal, M. Z., Shakil, A., ... & Asaduzzaman, M. (2023). Seaweed farming for food and nutritional security, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and women empowerment: A review. Aquaculture and Fisheries, 8(5), 463-480. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aaf.2022.09.001
Sumayya, S. S., Sreelekshmi, S. G., & Murugan, K. (2017). Cultivation and economical perspectives of gracillaria: marine seaweed. Kongunadu Research Journal, 4(2), 73-79. https://doi.org/10.26524/krj206
Trivedi, N., Sharma, R., Mondal, A. S., & Dixit, D. (2022). Recent advances in biotechnology of seaweeds: An overview. In: Ranga Rao, A., Ravishankar, G.A. (eds) Sustainable Global Resources of Seaweeds, 1, 627-644. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-91955-9_33
Wang, L., Park, Y. J., Jeon, Y. J., & Ryu, B. (2018). Bioactivities of the edible brown seaweed, Undaria pinnatifida: A review. Aquaculture, 495, 873-880. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2018.06.079
Yap, W. F., Tay, V., Tan, S. H., Yow, Y. Y., & Chew, J. (2019). Decoding antioxidant and antibacterial potentials of Malaysian green seaweeds: Caulerpa racemosa and Caulerpa lentillifera. Antibiotics, 8(3), 152. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics8030152
Yoojam, S., Ontawong, A., Lailerd, N., Mengamphan, K., & Amornlerdpison, D. (2021). The enhancing immune response and anti-inflammatory effects of Caulerpa lentillifera extract in RAW 264.7 cells. Molecules, 26(19), 5734. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26195734
Zhang, M., Zhao, M., Qing, Y., Luo, Y., Xia, G., & Li, Y. (2020). Study on immunostimulatory activity and extraction process optimization of polysaccharides from Caulerpa lentillifera. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 143, 677-684. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.10.042
Statistics
86 Views | 64 Downloads
How to Cite
Lantaya, G., & Madjos, G. (2025). Economic Importance and Traditional Knowledge on Marine Macroalgae among Locals of Sacol Island, Zamboanga City, Philippines. International Journal of Advancement in Life Sciences Research, 8(3), 136-144. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.31632/ijalsr.2025.v08i03.013
Section
Research Articles
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
.