Question

Brown algae commonly known as 'Kelp', used for extraction of iodine is

• A. Laminaria
• B. Sargassum
• C. Chlamydomonas
• D. Spirogyra

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Laminaria, which is otherwise known as kelps, is a type of seaweed that is native to Japan. Laminaria contains iodine, an element that the body needs to make thyroid hormones. It is also a rich source of iron and potassium.

Iodine can be extracted from the seaweed by heating it in air to an ash, in which the iodine is present as iodide. Ribbon seaweeds (sp. laminaria) contain iodine compounds which they obtain by extracting iodide ions from seawater.