Cultivation of sea grapes: A capital but a few words

Nha Trang Institute of Oceanography has successfully cultivated grapes, also known as sea grapes, which can be used as a high-class vegetable. 1 kg of sea grapes is currently priced at 20,000 VND but if exported, the price may be a dozen USD / kg. Moreover, growing seaweed can clean the environment of water contaminated by organic substances, especially shrimp farming areas.

According to Dr. Nguyen Huu Dai, Head of the Marine Plant Division - Nha Trang Oceanographic Institute, this grape variety is a valuable food source and provides a lot of vitamins A and C and trace elements such as iron, iodine, calcium.

Seaweed is easy to grow ! They grow on the bottom of the ground, which is muddy soil, in high salinity waters, in closed bay, clear water. Seaweed can only grow in hot temperatures. With temperatures below 22 ^o C, grape seaweed may stop growing.

Cultivating grape seaweed, in addition to benefiting from green vegetables to enrich the meal, it is also capable of cleaning the water environment due to its ability to absorb organic matter.

Seaweed is both a food rich in vitamins and micronutrients, both as a " tool "
Clean the water environment. (Photo: Dai Dai)

The grape vine ( Caulerpa lentilifera ) is also known as green caviar or sea grapes. Rong Nho is very popular and used as a green vegetable in salads in some Asian countries such as Japan and the Philippines

The cultivation of this species of seaweed is growing in Japan, the Philippines, and Thailand . The Philippines has about 400 hectares of land in Cebu cultivated with grapes. In Japan, since 1986, grape seaweed has been grown as a commercial item in Okinawa.

In Vietnam, recently in 2006, scientists at Nha Trang Institute of Oceanography found grape seaweed in Phu Quy island (Phan Thiet).However, the size of this grape species is very small, equal to 1 / 3-1 / 4 compared to the species of Japanese origin.

At present, the whole of Central region, shrimp is no longer reared, many shrimp ponds will be abandoned. The water environment here is often polluted by many organic substances from excess food. Seaweed is capable of rapidly absorbing these organic substances, and reducing the level of water pollution in those areas. In particular, after being used as an agent against environmental pollution, grape seaweed is still able to use normally, not toxic to users.

Seaweed grows very fast, about 2cm longer each day. Interestingly, in the environment of many organic substances (eutrophication), grape algae thrive. After 2 months of cultivation, grape seaweed can be harvested, then people harvest pruning grapes.

The main stage of post-harvest handling is to keep grape seaweed hard.

When harvested, grape seaweed should be washed with seawater, cut off the branches and roots. The part like a bunch of grapes to reach into a trade item, must be over 5cm long. Fresh algae can be circulated on the market within 1 week to 10 days.

In the framework of the ministerial-level project: 'Scientific basis for the development of growing sea grape seaweed in Vietnam', from 2006-2007, grape seaweed was successfully grown in Cam Ranh, Hon Khoi - Ninh Hoa.

Scientists at the Oceanographic Institute hope to develop grape seaweed on the market for 20,000 VND / kg. Currently, on the Japanese market, a pack of grape seaweed is preserved in the country or by salt, priced at 9.9USD / 120gr. And fresh seaweed is priced at 60 - 70USD / kg.

Seaweed is both a substitute for green vegetables rich in vitamins and micronutrients, both as a "tool" to clean the water environment.

Dr. Nguyen Huu Dai, Head of Marine Plant - Nha Trang Institute of Oceanography, beside grape seaweed culture tank.

In Vietnam, grape seaweed is concentrated in Phu Quy island, but its size is very small, only 1/3 to 1/4 of grapes in Okinawa, Japan.

Japanese grapes can also grow strongly in Hon Khoi and Ninh Hoa waters.

After 2 months, people can harvest grapes;After that, continue to harvest pruning.

Seaweed of finished products only takes the same part of grapes.Standard sea grapes have a length of 5cm or more.

Post-harvest handling: Rinse with seawater, cut off grapes-like parts and pack.

Currently, on the Japanese market, these pack of grape seaweed packaged like this cost 9.9USD / 120gam.

Fresh seaweed can be sold overseas for 60-70 USD / kg.But now, in Vietnam, the price of 1 kg of seaweed is only about 20,000 VND.Scientists at the Institute of Oceanography hope to grow more grape plants so that Vietnamese people can use green vegetables instead.

At some Japanese-style eateries in Ho Chi Minh City, there is a mix of salads and grapes for about 35,000 VND per plate.

News: Huong Cat - Photo: Nguyen Huu Dai