Find in Library

Sea lettuce (<i>Ulva</i> spp.), with its worldwide distribution and remarkable ability to grow rapidly under various conditions, represents an important natural resource that is still under-exploited. Its biomass can be used for a wide range of applications in the food/feed, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, biofuel, and bioremediation industries. However, knowledge of the factors affecting <i>Ulva</i> biomass yield and composition is far from complete. Indeed, the respective contributions of the microbiome, natural genetic variation in <i>Ulva</i> species, environmental conditions and importantly, the interactions between these three factors on the <i>Ulva</i> biomass, have been only partially elucidated. Further investigation is important for the implementation of large-scale <i>Ulva</i> aquaculture, which requires stable and controlled biomass composition and yields. In this review, we document <i>Ulva</i> biomass composition, describe the uses of <i>Ulva</i> biomass and we propose different strategies for developing a sustainable and profitable <i>Ulva</i> aquaculture industry.