Giant kelp

Authors: Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer, Prof. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles

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Last updated on: 29.10.2020

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Synonym(s)

Giant Kelp; Macrocystis pyrifera

Definition
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The giant seaweed, Macrocystis pyrifera, is a brown alga of the genus Macrocystis in the order Laminariales. Macrocystis pyrifera can reach a length of up to 45 m and forms large kelp forests on the Pacific coast of North America as well as on other sea coasts of the southern hemisphere. The giant kelp is of economic importance for the extraction of alginates.

Macrocystis pyrifera is the parent plant of Macrocystis pyrifera extract, an extract that is used in cosmetic formulations.

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