Author/Authors :
MOHAMAD, HABSAH College University of Science and Technology (KUSTEM) - Faculty of Science and Technology - Chemistry Department, Malaysia , ZAINUDIN, NORAZIMAR College University of Science and Technology (KUSTEM) - Faculty of Science and Technology - Chemistry Department, Malaysia , SHAHAROM, FAIZAH College University of Science and Technology (KUSTEM) - Institute of Aquaculture Tropical, Malaysia , MOHAMAD, KARTINI College University of Science and Technology (KUSTEM) - Faculty of Science and Technology - Marine Science and Fishery Department, Malaysia , ABDULLAH, SITI AISHAH College University of Science and Technology (KUSTEM) - Faculty of Science and Technology - Marine Science and Fishery Department, Malaysia
Abstract :
Under examination by a compound light microscope and stereoscope, several epiphytic animals and algae were found on the unclean seaweed surface. These epiphytes were mainly filamentous red and green algae, diatoms (Cocconeis sp), tube-dwelling polychaetes, and small mussels. Two methods were used to clean the seaweed surface, which were sonication for 15 min and hand cleaning using a soft brush with three rinsing using filtered seawater. Examination by a compound microscope, stereoscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM) of the cleaned seaweeds surface showed removal of the majority of the epiphytes, however, some of the filamentous algae and Cocconeis sp still remained. A much more efficient cleaning method is necessary to remove the filamentous algae and Cocconeis sp from the Gracilaria changii surface. The extraction method of Gracilaria changii is also described
