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Family: Laminariaceae (kelp family)
"Common name: Japanese: Aname (Tokida 1954)." [Pereira ESW]
"Geographic distribution: Asia (China, Japan, Korea, Russia); N Atlantic (Arctic, Greenland); NW Pacific (Alaska)." [Pereira ESW]
In the Arctic, Agarum clathratum remains a dominant canopy vegetation in zone IV, which lies between approximately 25 and 30 meters in depth. It co-occurs with Laminaria solidungula and, in the upper portions of this zone, with occasional large populations of Desmarestia aculeata. [Lobban SEP]
"Uses: In Japan and Korea is used for foodstuff, especially for the manufacture of potash salts (Tokida 1954, Kang 1968), and for production of alginates (Kang 1968, Bonotto 1976)." [Pereira ESW]
Agarum clathratum is used for the production of alginates in Japan and Korea. Alginates are a significant chemical constituent of brown algal cell walls, providing flexibility and strength. [Mouritsen Seaweeds] These polysaccharides are composed of β-(1→4)-linked D-mannuronic acid (M units) and α-(1→4)-linked L-guluronic acid (G units), or a mixture of the two. [Mouritsen Seaweeds] The ability of alginates to form gels and viscous solutions makes them valuable in various industrial applications. [Pereira ESW]
Synonyms: Agarum cribrosum [Pereira ESW]