SEAWEED TO EAT?

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6812, 16 January 1929, Page 9

SEAWEED TO EAT?

POSSIBILITY OF lUTURE

■WILL ALSO MAKE ROADS.

The possibility of obtaining seaweed in Australia in sulficient quantities for it to be used for medicinal and other purposes is being investigated by Piofessor A. H. S. Lucas, of Sydney, who has returned from a three months tour of West and South Australia. Professor Lucas made his tour at the invitation of the Council of . Scientific and Industrial Research. Prior to his retirement Professor Lucas, who is scventy-flve, was professor of mathematics at the University of Tasmania. He has made a lifelong study of seaweeds.

“Australia is far behind other countries in research in the value of seaweeds,” he said. “Unfortunately, I am the only man in Australia making a studv of this subject.” During his tour around the coast Professor Lucas visited Eottnest Island, Gcrnldton, Bunbury, Busscltou, Penguin Island, Cape Lecuwin, and Albany. Professor Lucas’s aim is to make a" standard collection of Australian seaweeds for reference purposes. There are 1.500 varieties. During his tour he collected large quantities of material which will take years to classify. “There are undoubtedly many ways we can use seaweed if it can bo obtained in sufficient quantities,” said Professor Lucas. “In West Australia there is a variety known as tho ‘ jelly plant.’ It makes an excellent jelly, and is rich in vitamins. A firm has started treating this seaweed and sclb ing it as a powder to be sprinkled over food like pepper and salt. It can also be incorporated in confectionery.” Professor Lucas exploded tho idea that seaweed is poisonous. He said that all forms were more or less nutritious. Scottish pooplo ate a great deal of dulse seaweed, which was both tasty and inexpensive. Another form known as Laver’s seaweed was also ficquently eaten as spinach. This could be obtained in fair quantities in West Australia. “Seaweed is also a source of potash and iodine,” -Professor Lucas said. “Dr. Simpson, of Perth, made an analysis of various kinds of seaweed I gave him, and found that 3.39 per cent, of ash was iddine. If sufficient quantities of suitable kelp can be obtained there is no reason why iodine should not bo manufactured in Australia from seaweed. “Heavy types ,of seaweed could be used as foundations • for roads across sandy tracks of country,” said .Professor Lucas. This had already been attempted in Australia with marked success. It could also be used as a fertiliser. In France, large quantities of dried seaweed wore used' as manure. Early settlers in West Australia had also U3cd it for this purpose, but with the development of phosphates its popularitv had waned. “We should not forget that seaweed plays an essential part in the life of the sea,” the professor added. If fishermen cared to take the trouble to discover where the great bods of seaweed are around the coast they would greatly iucreaso their hauls.”