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PHYCOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA

Biochemistry of Pelvetia compressa [now Silvetia compressa (J. Agardh) Serrão, Cho, Boo et Brawley]

Pelvetia compressa has vesicles containing fucosan, a tannin like compound which is common in outer cell layers, meristematic cells, and reproductive cells. It is a dark brown color, darker than fucoxanthin, the normal pigment of brown algae. Like other brown algae, it uses chlorophyll a and c, fucoxanthins, and carotenes and uses laminarin for its food reserves. It also contains the gels algin and fucoidan.

© 1996 R. H.  Lin