Macro Algae: Biodiversity, Usefulness to Humans and Spatial Study for Site Selection in Oceanic Farming O. Olanrewaju Sulaiman 1 , * , Abdul Rashid Norlaily Binti Abdul Raship 1 , Ab Saman Abd Kader 2 , Shamila Azman 2 , Rosa D’Angelo 3 , Adriano Madonna 3 and Kong Fah Tee 4 1 School of Ocean Engineering, University Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia 2 Marine Technology Centre, University Technology Malaysia, Skudai, Malaysia 3 Department of Biology, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy 4 Department of Engineering Science, University of Greenwich, Chatam Maritime, UK * Corresponding author: O. Olanrewaju Sulaiman, School of Ocean Engineering, University Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia, Tel: +609668-3697; Fax: +609-6683193; E-mail: oosulaiman@gmail.com Received date: Oct 7, 2015; Accepted date: Oct 11, 2015; Published date: Oct 20, 2015 Copyright: © 2015, Sulaiman OO, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Abstract This minireview focuses on current understanding of the blue technology with special emphasis on algae products utilization. These relationships are discussed based on their economic value. The emerging antioxidant role for human health is highlight and the approach used to identify the oceanic parameters that are most suitable for the macro algae cultivation in Bidong Island, Redang Island, Perhentian Island and Setiu Wetland (Malaysia water) is reported. Keywords: Blue economy; Oceanic farm; Seaweed; Antioxidant; Malaysia; Bidong island; Redang island; Perhentian island; Setiu wetland Introduction Increasing number of population, advanced technology and economics growth somehow has caused energy depletion and global climate change. It has been driving the seeking for blue-economy resource, challenges and opportunity in this new millennium [1]. Te oceanic farms represent a new opportunity. Nowadays, to satisfy human needs, requires a global economy less dependent on fossil resources. So a transition onto a bio-based economy where raw materials are directly produced starting from soil and water, ofers a way of energetic independence and a green economy. Many models for biomass production are based on culture of benthic marine algae. Seaweeds show a faster growth rate than land plants, and are more efcient in catching the carbon dioxide. Infact, algae are commercially cultivated for cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and aquaculture purpose. Furthermore, they have been included in the food production of useful compounds; used as food supplement, as bio flters to remove nutrients and other pollutant from wastewaters; to record water quality, as indicators of environmental change; in space technology, and in laboratory and clinical research systems [2]. Tey also can be used to yield hydrogen, biodiesel and biobutanol which produce vastly superior amounts of vegetable oil, corn, sugarcane, wheat, and maize which higher productivity to compare terrestrial crops grown for same purpose [3]. Te production of biodiesel via trans-esterifcation of algal oils and has similar properties as petro- diesel. Bio-butanol is a promising gasoline alternative that is being intensively studied while algae biofuel is relatively mature [4]. In this mini review we will summarize the astounding diversity of seaweed and their utilization, we will highlight one of the emerging value function and we will deal with all the parameters suitable for algae cultivation in many types of habitat in Malaysia such as Bidong island, Redang island, Perhentian island and Setiu wetland. At later stage, these data may become useful when constructing this new challenge and opportunity on blue economy. Brief Characterization of the Seaweeds and their Economical Utilization General seaweeds classifcation A frst classifcation of seaweeds is given by their ability to absorb light for the purpose of photosynthesis. Tey, therefore, based on this parameter, are grouped microalgae or marine macro algae (kelp or seaweed) in red algae (or rodophytae, rodophyicae), brown algae (or pheophytae, pheophycae) and green algae (or chlorophytes, chlorophycae) (Figures 1a-c). Red algae possess pigments as phycoethrinn, phycocyanin, carotenes and xanthophylls, which give them the peculiar shade of red; brown algae possess xanthophyllis and carotenes, which gives a dark shade, absorbing the rays of blue-green; green algae possess a and b chlorophyll and the way in which these organisms accumulate reserve substances in the form of starch, suggest the existence of a phylogenetic link with land plants [5]. Algae, living in all the seas in the world, show thousands of families and species, each with diferent characteristics and to recognize and distinguish them from one another ofen requires specialized investigations [6]. A basic diference lies in the coloring given by the various pigments blended with the chlorophyll [7] and more ofen by the depth where they live. Chlorophytes are found, usually, in the intertidal and infralitoral zone, up to a depth of about 10 meters, as they require a bright light. Tey are abundant in the warm seas and scarce in the Arctic. Te brown algae are mostly found in the cold waters, although the so-called fucali like Sargassum sp, are observed in tropical and subtropical regions. Teir main difusion is observed up to about 20 meters deep, but the larger forms can exceed -30 m. Te rodophyites live at greater depths. Tey have a wide distribution, but are particularly found in temperate seas. Usually they live in low light Sulaiman OO et al., J Biodivers Endanger Species 2015, S1:003 DOI: 10.4172/2332-2543.S1-003 Mini Review Open Access J Biodivers Endanger Species Usefulness of Biodiversity to Humans ISSN:2332-2543 JBES, an open access journal Journal of Biodiversity & Endangered Species J o u r n a l o f B i o d i v e r s i t y & E n d a n g e r e d S p e c i e s ISSN: 2332-2543