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2007-10-16T17:30:11Z

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{{Taxobox
| image =
| color = khaki
| name = Wakame
| status =

secure
| regnum = [[Protista]]
| divisio = [[Heterokont]]ophyta
| classis = [[Brown alga|Phaeophyceae]]
| ordo = [[Kelp|Laminariales]]
| familia = [[Alariaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Undaria]]''
| species = '''''U. pinnatifida'''''
| binomial = ''Undaria pinnatifida''
| binomial_authority = (Harvey) Suringar, [[1873]]
}}

{{nihongo|'''Wakame'''|若布|wakame}}, ''Undaria pinnatifida'', is a type of edible [[kelp]].

== Health ==
New studies conducted at [[Hokkaido University]] have found that a compound in wakame known as [[fucoxanthin]] can help burn fatty tissue. Studies in mice have shown that [[fucoxanthin]] induces expression of the fat-burning protein [[UCP1]] that accumulates in fat tissue around the internal organs. Expression of [[UCP1]] protein was significantly increased in mice fed fucoxanthin.
Wakame is also used in topical beauty treatments.
See also [[Fucoidan]]

In Oriental medicine it has been used for blood purification, intestinal strength, skin, hair, reproductive organs and menstrual regularity <ref name="Taylor 57">{{cite book |author=Kristina Turner |year=1996| title=The Self-Healing Cookbook: A Macrobiotic Primer for Healing Body, Minds and Moods with Whole Natural Foods|id=ISBN 0-945668-10-4}}</ref>.

==Invasiveness==
In [[New Zealand]], wakame is a very serious [[weed]], and was nominated one of the 100 worst [[invasive species]] in the world. It was first discovered in [[Wellington]] Harbour in [[1987]]. It probably arrived accidentally in the late 1980s, via shipping from Asia, in [[Sailing ballast|ballast]] water. Native to cold temperate coastal areas of [[Japan]], [[Korea]] and [[China]], in recent decades it has also established in [[France]], [[Great Britain]], [[Spain]], [[Italy]], [[Argentina]] and [[Australia]].

Wakame is now found around much of south-eastern New Zealand, and as far north as [[Auckland]]. It spreads in two ways: naturally, through the millions of microscopic [[spore]]s released by each fertile organism, and through attachment to vessel hulls and marine farming equipment. It is a highly successful and fertile species, which makes it a serious [[invasive species|invader]]. However, its impacts are not well understood and are likely to vary, depending on the location.

==As food==

[[Image:Wakame and fish.jpg|thumb|250px|Wakame served with fish.]]

Wakame fronds are green and have a subtly sweet flavour and slippery texture. The leaves should be cut into small pieces as they will expand during cooking.

In Japan, wakame is distributed either dried or salted, and used in [[soup]]s (particularly [[miso soup]], and [[salad]]s ([[Tofu]] salad), of often simply as a side dish to [[Tofu]] and a salad vegetable like [[cucumber]]. These dishes are typically dressed with Japanese ingredients including [[soya sauce]] and [[vinegar]]/[[rice vinegar]].

*In [[China]], it is called ''qundaicai''. Chinese production is concentrated around [[Dalian]].
*In [[Korea]], it is called ''miyeok'' and used in salads or soup.

Wakame is a rich source of [[Eicosapentaenoic acid|EPA]], an [[Omega-3 fatty acid|ω-3]] [[essential fatty acid]]. At over 400 mg/100 kcal or almost 1 mg/kJ, it has one of the higher nutrient:calorie ratios, and among the very highest for a vegetarian source. However, 100 grams of Wakame is more than 44 tablespoons of dried Wakame. The usual consumpton of Wakame is closer to 1 or 2 tablespoons.<ref name=nutritiondata>{{cite web| url=http://www.nutritiondata.com/foods-000067000000000000000.html |publisher=Nutrition Data| title= 545 foods highest in 20:5 n-3|accessdate=2007-02-09}}</ref> Wakame also has high levels of calcium, thiamine, niacin, and vitamin B12.

==References==
<references />
== External links ==
* [http://vegetarian.about.com/od/glossary/g/Wakame.htm More About Wakame and How to Prepare]
* [http://www.physorg.com/news77201733.html Anti-obesity compound found in brown seaweed]
* [http://www.algaebase.org/speciesdetail.lasso?species_id=350 AlgaeBase link]
* [http://www.fao.org/figis/servlet/species?fid=2777 FAO of the United Nations - Undaria pinnatifida]
* [http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-1676 Jncc U.K - Undaria pinnatifida]
* [http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=68&fr=1&sts= Global Invasive species database]



{{vegetable-stub}}

[[Category:Invasive plant species]]
[[Category:Brown algae]]
[[Category:Sea vegetables]]

Wakame - Revision history

MediaWiki default at 17:30, 16 October 2007