Algae processed product

Algae (Cladophora glomerata kutzing) is a green fresh water weed with string shape. It can be found in the North of Thailand‚ especially in the Nan River flowing along several districts of Nan Province‚ such as Phu-Pieng‚ Tha Wang Pha and in the Mekong River in Chiang kong District‚ Chaing Rai Province. This algae variety is known in many local names‚ such as Gai Neaw‚ Gai Kang‚ Gai Paey‚ Gai Mai‚ Gai Tha‚ Sa Rai Gai‚ Sai Rai Kai‚ and Gai Kao. This algae can grow on the river bed rocks under the river for 30-40 centrimeters in depth. The growth of the algae can be 1 - 2 meters‚ especially when growing in the slow flowing and good quiality river. The algae grows well in the cold season (November-May). Several research projects insist that the algae provides higher protein when compared  to fish. The algae contains more than 18 vitamins‚ miberals‚ anti-oxidant and fibre than the seaweed. Besides‚ the algae provides more four times beta-carotine and fibre than carrot. Moreover‚ more B1 and B2 vitamins‚ potasium‚ iron‚ selenium‚ folic acid‚ pantothenic acid‚  cholophyll and carotenoids which are the anti-oxidant substancess are provided in  algae. The development of locally algae processed product helps in maintaing the food culture. Generally‚ Tai lue tribe uses this algae in their recipe‚ such as steamed algae‚ algae chili paste‚ and fried algae. Fried algae is a fomous main course for general people. This product can be sold in season. However‚ by adding so much oil‚ it causes a-few-week preservation. As such‚ this is a rationale of the project to develop a less oiled processed algae product‚ under the support of the Ministry of Science and Technology in 2015. The project titled  "Development of Algae Product in Nan Province for ASEAN Market"‚ aims to process the less oiled algae to be sold in the market and to increase the family income. The project transfers the algae processed technologies‚ such as less oiled fried algae‚  algae sheet‚ algae seasoning powder‚ algae cripspy cracker‚ and any  other kinds of algae products‚ and to develop the package and label of algae product. Baan Had Pha Kon‚ Moo 3‚ Tumbom Muang-jung‚ Phupiang District‚ Nan is one of the areas which has algae.The Algae Processed Product Group with 30 members was established in the community.  In the past the local people processed the algae as household food during the algae season. However‚ they lacked knowledge to process it as commodity. Therefore‚ RMUTL Nan Technology Clinic‚ led by Assis. Prof. Dr. Piyanuch Roskrue and Lecturer Chanin Kaewmanee‚ has helped solve the problem. Nowadays‚ the group can supply the product to Nan OTOP shop adequately. Consequently‚ the household in the community have increased income. The technology used in processing algae product is oil reducing in the product processing. As pork crackling is one of the ingredients of the local algae product‚ the product itself turns rancid quickly. To solve the problem‚ this project has developed the local recipe by reducing the amount of oil used in product-processing. This method can reduce the rancidity‚ lengthen the preservation duration and keep the original taste of the product as presented in the following figure.     scientific and technological procedure in less oiled algae processed production being transfered to community 

Gallery : Algae processed product