Beyond culture, production and post-harvest practices with innovative integration of sea grapes (Caulerpa lentillifera): A review on its potential for mass production and adoption

Paper Details

Review Paper 10/05/2025
Views (1122)
current_issue_feature_image
publication_file

Beyond culture, production and post-harvest practices with innovative integration of sea grapes (Caulerpa lentillifera): A review on its potential for mass production and adoption

Maria Danesa S. Rabia
J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 26(5), 129-137, May 2025.
Copyright Statement: Copyright 2025; The Author(s).
License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Abstract

Sea grapes, scientifically known as Caulerpa lentillifera, are a type of green seaweed widely consumed as a vegetable. In recent years, this seaweed has gained significant popularity in the food industry due to its palatability, nutritional benefits, and ease of cultivation. While numerous studies have been conducted on the nutritional value and other components of C. lentillifera, there is limited information available on its cultivation characteristics, production, and post-harvest practices hence this study focus on the review and document C. lentillifera, including innovative practices. Results indicated that sea grapes identified practices are potential for mass production with integration of innovative practices. The compiled data in this review emphasize the importance of careful site selection and production management, wherein the results of test planting should guide the determination of area suitability and the appropriate farming methods to be employed. Furthermore, the findings address the specific needs of farmers.

Abbott IA. 1991. Polynesian uses of seaweed. In: Cox PA, Banack SA (eds), Islands, plants and Polynesians: An introduction to Polynesian ethnobotany, Dioscorides Press, Portland, Oregon, 135–145.

Balasubramaniam V, June Chelyn L, Vimala S, Mohd Fairulnizal MN, Brownlee IA, Amin I. 2020. Carotenoid composition and antioxidant potential of Eucheuma denticulatum, Sargassum polycystum and Caulerpa lentillifera. Heliyon 6, e04654.

Bambaranda BVASM, Sasaki N, Chirapart A, Salin KR, Tsusaka TW. 2019a. Optimization of macroalgal density and salinity for nutrient removal by Caulerpa lentillifera from aquaculture effluent. Processes 7, 303.

Bambaranda BVASM, Tsusaka TW, Chirapart A, Salin KR, Sasaki N. 2019b. Capacity of Caulerpa lentillifera in the removal of fish culture effluent in a recirculating aquaculture system. Processes 7, 440.

Bast F. 2013. Agronomy and cultivation methods for edible seaweeds. International Journal of Agriculture, Food Science and Technology 4, 661–666.

Cai Y, Li G, Zou D, Hu S, Shi X. 2021a. Rising nutrient nitrogen reverses the impact of temperature on photosynthesis and respiration of a macroalga Caulerpa lentillifera (Ulvophyceae, Caulerpaceae). Journal of Applied Phycology 33, 1115–1123.

Ceccherelli G, Piazzi L. 2001. Dispersal of Caulerpa racemosa fragments in the Mediterranean: The role of vegetative propagation. Marine Ecology Progress Series.

Chamberlain A, Pickering T. 1998. Post-harvest handling of Caulerpa racemosa for artisanal and export fisheries in Fiji. In: Fisheries and Marine Resources, The University of the South Pacific, Suva, 97–109.

Choi HG, Lee SG, Choi TS. 2006. Effects of temperature and irradiance on the growth of Caulerpa lentillifera in aquaculture. Aquaculture.

Chung IK, Kang YH, Yarish C, Kraemer GP, Lee JA. 2002. Application of seaweed cultivation to the bioremediation of nutrient-rich effluent. Algae 17, 187–194.

De Gaillande C, Payri C, Remoissenet G, Zubia M. 2017. Caulerpa consumption, nutritional value and farming in the Indo-Pacific region. Journal of Applied Phycology 29, 2249–2266.

Delgado O, Ruiz JM, Pérez-Lloréns JL. 1999. Nutrient uptake by Caulerpa prolifera and its implications for nutrient cycling in coastal waters. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science.

Dobson GT, Duy NDQ, Paul NA, Southgate PC. 2020. Assessing potential for integrating sea grape (Caulerpa lentillifera) culture with sandfish (Holothuria scabra) and Babylon snail (Babylonia areolata) co-culture. Aquaculture 522, 735153.

Estrada JL, Arboleda MDM, Dionisio-Sese ML. 2021. Current status of sea grapes (Caulerpa spp.) farming and wild harvesting in the Philippines. Journal of Applied Phycology 33, 3215–3223.

FAO. 2020. The state of world fisheries and aquaculture 2020. FAO, Rome.

Guo H, Yao J, Sun Z, Duan D. 2015a. Effects of salinity and nutrients on the growth and chlorophyll fluorescence of Caulerpa lentillifera. Chinese Journal of Oceanology and Limnology 33, 410–418.

Guo H, Yao J, Sun Z, Duan D. 2015b. Effect of temperature, irradiance on the growth of the green alga Caulerpa lentillifera (Bryopsidophyceae, Chlorophyta). Journal of Applied Phycology 27, 879–885.

Kang LK, Huang YJ, Lim WT, Hsu PH, Hwang PA. 2020. Growth, pigment content, antioxidant activity, and phytoene desaturase gene expression in Caulerpa lentillifera grown under different combinations of blue and red light-emitting diodes. Journal of Applied Phycology 32, 1971–1982.

Largo DB, Diola AG, Marababol MS. 2016. Development of an integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) system for tropical marine species in southern Cebu, Central Philippines. Aquaculture Reports 3, 67–76.

Phang SM, Yeoh M, Lim SH. 1996. Nutrient management in the cultivation of Caulerpa lentillifera. Journal of Applied Phycology.

Phang SM, Yeoh M. 1996. Post-harvest handling and storage of Caulerpa lentillifera. Journal of Applied Phycology.

Raju G, Venugopal A. 2013. Growth and substrate preference of Caulerpa prolifera in coastal aquaculture. Indian Journal of Marine Sciences.

Trono CG, Toma T. 1993. Cultivation of the green alga Caulerpa lentillifera. In: Ohno M, Critchley AT (eds), Seaweed Cultivation and Marine Ranching. Kanagawa International Fisheries Training Center, JICA, Yokosuka, 17–24.

Trono GC, Largo DB. 2019. The seaweed resources of the Philippines. Botanica Marina 62, 483–498.

Williams SL, Smith JE. 2007. Impact of herbivory on Caulerpa taxifolia in the Mediterranean. Marine Ecology Progress Series.

Yamamoto H, Kobayashi H. 2004. Growth response of Caulerpa brachypus under different light regimes. Journal of Applied Phycology.

Yang Y, Liang Z, Hu Z. 2008. Bacterial diseases in Caulerpa lentillifera: Prevention and control strategies. Aquaculture Research.

Zubia M, Draisma SGA, Morrissey KL. 2020. Concise review of the genus Caulerpa J.V. Lamouroux. Journal of Applied Phycology 32, 23–39. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-019-01868-9

Related Articles

Reptile diversity in agroecosystem and ecotourism area of Aliwagwag Protected Landscape, Davao Oriental, Philippines

Juliet Tilan Cervantes*, J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 28(6), 214-221, June 2026.

Geo-space monitoring technology and gis based predictive modeling of land use/land cover dynamics

E. Ahuchaogu Udo*, U. Duru Uchenna, E. Njoku Richard, G. Ogbonna Chukwuemeka, C. Okoboji Anthony, E. F. Onyeagoro, J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 28(6), 202-213, June 2026.

Carbon emissions and removals from land-use and land-cover change in the Djoum, Mintom, Ngoyla, and Yokadouma forest block, Cameroon (Congo Basin)

Pascal Freddy Bikono*, Zachée Ambang, Joseph Armathé Amougou, Lucas Dominique Bembong Ebokona, Garga Amadou, Rose Ngo Makak, Richard Russell Akoulou Ze Mballa, J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 28(6), 170-184, June 2026.

Characterization of macroplastics in the mangrove ecosystems of Baganga, Davao Oriental, Philippines

Marlone M. Barrete*, J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 28(6), 150-169, June 2026.

In vitro assessment of Bambara groundnut M3 mutant genotypes for resistance to Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid. in the seedling stage in Burkina Faso

Brahime Tingueri*, Souleymane Ouattara, Adjima Ouoba, Romain W. Soalla, Mahamadi Hamed Ouedraogo, J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 28(6), 141-149, June 2026.

Impact of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae on biochemical and antioxidant enzymes in Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) infesting oil palm

M. Malarvizhi, N. Santhana Bharathi, K. Sujatha*, A. Vijaya Anand, R. Manikandan, J. P. Antony Prabhu, J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 28(6), 129-140, June 2026.

Typhoon risk perception and preparedness after Sendong in Bayug Island

Dinah Millendez*, Lex Rei Brendon Hilario, Jay Rey Alovera, Elizabeth Edan Albiento, Melgie Alas, Peter Suson, J. Biodiv. & Environ. Sci. 28(6), 120-128, June 2026.