Concise review of Cladophora spp.: macroalgae of commercial interest

This study includes information about the most common freshwater and marine species from the genus Cladophora such as classification, taxonomy and morphology, ecology, occurrence and distribution, population and community structure, harvesting and culture conditions, chemical composition, and utilization. Habitat requirements and development optima are different for species belonging to the commonly recorded genus Cladophora. The majority Cladophora species are distributed throughout the world, in both the moderate and tropical zones. Of the species noted from Europe, only 15 are characterized for freshwaters, both flowing and standing. In small water bodies, these green algae are very common and occur almost everywhere: in lakes, dam reservoirs, large rivers occur mainly in the coastal littoral zone. A commonly occurring species of macroscopic green algae is Cladophora glomerata. Habitat parameters have shown that the distribution pattern of filamentous green algae taxa is determined by two different gradients: (i) depth—temperature, light availability, oxygen concentration; and (ii) trophy—nitrate and orthophosphate concentration. A fast growth rate of Cladophora is very effective under good light condition and high concentration of nutrients. Species of the genera Cladophora have been determined to be early spring or summer organisms. The biomass of Cladophora can be successfully applied as a raw material for production of value-added products. In this review, Cladophora species are discussed in terms of their chemical composition, as well as potential applications in many areas, for example human and animal health, agriculture (organic fertilizers, biostimulants of plant growth, feed additives), environmental protection (bioindicator of pollution/contamination, sorbent of pollutants from wastewater), renewable source of energy (biogas, bioethanol), and high-tech composite materials.