Buku JTL-10 No.3 new.indd

14 Pages·2009·0.19 MB·English

J. Tek. Ling Vol.10 No.3 Hal. 297 - 310 Jakarta, Sept 2009 ISSN 1441-318X
ETHNOBOTANY STUDY OF SEAWEED DIVERSITY AND ITS
UTILIZATION IN WARAMBADI, PANGUHALODO AREAS OF
EAST SUMBA DISTRICT
Jana Tjahjana Anggadiredja
Badan Pengkajian dan Penerapan Teknologi
Jln. MH Thamrin No 8, Jakarta 10340
Abstract
This paper reports the ethnobotany study of seaweed diversity in Warambadi –
Panguhalodo areas of East Sumba District, the island of Sumba. The study recorded
19 genera of 54 species of seaweed, which were utilized as food or edible seaweed.
The group consisted of 17 species of green algae, 17 species of red algae, and 20
species of brown algae. The study also reported that 18 genera of 38 species were
traditionally utilized for medicinal purposes as herbal medicine. The herbal species
consisted of 7 species of green algae, 13 species of red algae, and 18 species of
brown algae.
Seaweed is traditionally consumed as food in various forms: raw as salad and vegetable,
as pickle with sauce of allspice or with vinegar, as relish or sweetened jellies and also
cooked for vegetable soup. As herbal medicine seaweed is usually used for traditional
cosmetics, as antipyretic and antiseptic, as vermifuges, and treatments for cough and
asthma, hemorrhoid, nosebleed and boils, goiter and scrofula, stomach ailments and
urinary diseases.
Indigenous knowledge on seaweed still exist and are continually employed by
people living in particular areas such as the Sumba and Sabu ethnic groups. Yet,
the knowledge is gradually decreasing due to localities, socio-economic change and
cultural development.
Key words: ethnobotany, seaweed diversity, edible, herbal medicine, indigenous
knowledge, Sumba and Sabu ethnics
1. INTRODUCTION
Local people have been using food. The annual consumption of seaweed
seaweed and its extracts as ethnic food. among the Japanese is estimated to as much
Extensive use of fresh and dried seaweed by as 1.6 kg (dry weight) per capita4) .
coastal population over the world can furnish
The food values of seaweed are
clues to potential food and other uses of
currently reconsidered in the hope of
seaweed. The Chinese have used seaweed
coping with future food shortages. A variety
for both medicine and food since before 2000
of chemical compounds are contained in
BC, and estimated that about 100 million jin
seaweed, such as carbohydrates, proteins,
of fresh and dried seaweed are consumed in
salts, vitamins and minerals. Research in
China each year (1 jin is equivalent to about
natural products of seaweed have made
0.5 kg) 1,2,3). In Japan, more than one hundred
significant progress in recent years and
species of seaweed are traditionally used as
seaweed is able to produce a variety of
Ethnobotany Study of Seaweed Diversity...J. Tek. Ling. 10 (3): 297 - 310 297
compounds and some of them possess 2. METHODOLOGY
biological activity of potential medicinal Employing an interview method by
value 5,6). structured questionnaire the study attempted
Indonesians, particularly people to focus on Sumba and Sabu ethnic, the
living in the coastal areas have traditionally major ethnic living in the District of Waingapu.
utilized several seaweed species as food As comparison, interview on similar subject
supplement and herbal medicine. As food, was also conducted among other ethnic (the
seaweed is usually consumed in various Javanese, Lomboks, Sumbawas, Minangs
forms such as salad, sweetened jellies and and Chinese) in various study sites.
other products. Yet, as herbal medicine The study sites covered Kampung
they are not recorded in Indonesian herbal Warambadi in Desa Mburukulu, Sub-
medicine literature. district of Panguhalodo; Central of Desa
The primary purposes of this study Mburukulu, Sub-district of Panguhalodo;
were (a) to identify and to evaluate both Central of Melolo Sub-district, and Central
edible and herbal medicine seaweed, of Waingapu City, East Sumba District. The
(b) to evaluate indigenous knowledge on interviews were focused to 31 respondents
seaweed of local people. The study was living along the coastal areas of the study
focused on the Warambadi seashore site. The respondents were of Sumba and
in the island of Sumba. The shore was Sabu ethnic in Kampung Warambadi, Desa
known as an attractive area for seaweed Mburukulu, Panguhalodo Sub-district,
diversity and distribution. The people living and East Sumba District. To compare the
in the area were Sumba and Sabu ethnic. knowledge of local people, interviews were
The results of the study are expected to also conducted among 23 other respondents
provide information for future study on from the same ethnicity in the same Sub-
natural products of seaweed. The basic district of Panguhalodo. Furthermore, similar
of the information and data on Indonesian interviews were also aimed to 21 respondents
seaweed species used as food and as of various ethnic in the central part of Melolo
herbal medicine were obtained from reports Sub-district and to 20 respondents of
of the Siboga Expedition 1899-1900 diverse ethnic in the central part of the city
7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15). of Waingapu (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Study Site
298 Anggadiredja, J.T., 2009
Descriptive analysis was employed milk or coconut oil was often added for
to compare the respondent’s perception taste. They were often accompanied with
according to ethnicity and study location. sauce of allspice or with vinegar as a pickle.
The numbers of respondent have been taken Some species were cooked in coconut
randomly in each study location. To assist milk or coconut water with sugar as relish
the interview all identified seaweed species or sweetened jellies. It was also used for
which have been collected on Warambadi thickening soups and puddings.
seashore were shown to the respondents For centuries, the coastal
as a reminder to their habit of using certain communities in many parts of Indonesia
species. The exhibit also helped them to have been using seaweed for various
recall the species they used and how they medicinal purposes. Yet there is not any
used them. literature support to the particular use of
3. RESULTS this herbal medicine. Seaweed as a herbal
Previous research in this area medicine was usually used in various ways,
explained, about 23 genera of seaweed including traditional cosmetics (skin powder
including 79 species growing on Warambadi and refreshing liquid), as antipyretic and
seashore have been identified. These are antiseptic compounds, as vermifuges with
37 species of Chlorophyceae (green algae), an anthelmintic property, and as treatment
22 species of Rhodophyceae (red algae) for sunstroke and dropsy, cough and asthma
and 20 species of Phaeophyceae (brown as well as hemorrhoid, nosebleed and boils,
algae). Local people did not use specific local goiter and scrofula, stomach ailments and
name for seaweed species in this area. They urinary diseases.
usually used the same local name for several The study also unveiled the
species. For example, they called “anggur relationship between indigenous knowledge
laut” for all Caulerpa species and they on seaweed among the study sites and
called “agar-agar besar” for all Eucheuma ethnicity. Figure 2 and 3 present the
species. proportions of the respondents’ knowledge
During this study of 55 species on seaweed and in relation to their uses
were found and they were used as food and purposes with considering ethnicity and
supplement and herbal medicine. This study study location.
also reported that of 54 species of seaweed The proportion of respondent who
were utilized as food, consisted of 17 species stated that they were familiar with seaweed
of green algae, 17 species of red algae and were 81.1% and 75.3% of total respondent
20 species of brown algae (Table1). consumed seaweed d traditionally as food
This study also recorded that 38 and/or herbal medicine.
species of seaweed were utilized as herbal Figure 4 and 5 describe the
medicine. These are consisted of 7 species respondents’ knowledge on agar
of green algae, 13 species of red algae, and (extracted compound from agarophytes
18 species of brown algae (Table 2). seaweed) with their uses and purposes
As traditional food, seaweed was in relation to ethnicity and study location.
consumed in various forms. They were These figures indicate that 50.5% of total
consumed raw as fresh salad, boiled or respondent were familiar about agar and
dipped into boiling water, or cooked into 33.70% of total respondent consumed
various forms as vegetable soup. Coconut agar as food.
Ethnobotany Study of Seaweed Diversity...J. Tek. Ling. 10 (3): 297 - 310 299
Table 1. Edible seaweed of Warambadi seashore, Sumba island

# Name of Species Utilization
Chlorophyceae
a).Caulerpa cupressoides (Vahl) C. Agardh,
b).Caulerpa lentillifera J. Agardh, c). Caulerpa
1-4 Salad, vegetable soup with or without coconut milk/oil, pickle
microphysa (Weber-van Bosse) J. Feldman,
d).Caulerpa peltata Lamouroux
a).Caulerpa racemosa v. laetevirens (Montagne)
Weber-van Bosse, b). Caulerpa racemosa v.
5-8 macrophysa (Kutzing) Taylor, c). Caulerpa racemosa Salad, vegetable soup, pickle
v. occidentalis (J. Agardh) Borgesen, d).Caulerpa
racemosa v. uvifera (Turner) Weber-van Bosse
a). Caulerpa serrulata (Forsskal) J. Agardh, b).
9-11 Caulerpa sertularioides (Gmelin) Howe, c). Caulerpa Salad, vegetable soup with or without coconut milk/oil, pickle
taxifolia (Vahl) C. Agardh
12-13 a). Codium arabicum Kutzing, b). Codium edule Silva Salad, vegetable soup with coconut milk/oil, pickle
a).Dictyosphaeria cavernosa (Forsskal) Borgesen,
14-15 Salad, vegetable soup with or without coconut milk/oil, pickle
b).Dictyosphaeria Versluysii Weber-van Bosse
16 Ulva lactuca Linnaeus Salad, vegetable soup with coconut milk/oil, pickle
17 Valonia aegagropila C. Agardh Salad, vegetable soup, pickle
Rhodophyceae
1 Acanthophora specifera (Vahl) Borgesen Pickle, salad
a). Corallopsis salicornia J. Agardh, b).Corallopsis
2-3 Salad, vegetable soup with or without coconut milk/oil, pickle
urvillae J. Agardh
Eucheuma denticulatum (N. L. Burman) Collins & Sweetened jellies with or without coconut milk, salad, pickle,
4
Hervey vegetable soup, material for carrageenan
a). Eucheuma edule J. Agardh, b). Eucheuma Sweetened jellies with or without coconut milk, material for
5-6
gelatinae J. Agardh carrageenan
Eucheuma isiforme (C. Agardh) J. Agardh, 2). Sweetened jellies with or without coconut milk, pickle, material
7
Eucheuma serra J. Agardh for carrageenan
a). Gracilaria arcuata Zanardini, b). Gracilaria gigas Sweetened jellies with or without coconut milk, pickle,
8-9
Harvey vegetable soup, material for agar
Sweetened jellies with or without coconut milk, salad, pickle,
10 Gracilaria gigas Harvey
vegetable soup, material for agar
Sweetened jellies with or without coconut milk, salad, pickle,
11 Gracilaria coronopifolia J. Agardh
material for agar
12 Hypnea cervicornis J. Agardh Sweetened jellies with or without coconut milk, pickle
13 Hypnea musciformis (Wulfen) Lamouroux Sweetened jellies with or without coconut milk, vegetable soup
Sweetened jellies with, salad, pickle, vegetable soup, material
14 Kappaphycus alvarezii Doty
for carrageenan
Sweetened jellies with or without coconut milk, salad, pickle,
15 Kappaphycus striatum (Schmitz) Doty
material for carrageenan
16 Laurencia Obtusa (Hudson) Lamouroux Salad, vegetable soup
Sweetened jellies with or without coconut milk, material for
17 Meristotheca papulosa (Montagne) J. Agardh
agar
Phaeophyceae
1 Ascophyllum sp. Stackhouse Sweetened jellies
a). Dictyota bartayresii Lamouroux, b). Dictyota
2-8
cervicornis (Kutzing) Sonder,c). Dictyota ciliolata

Kutzing, d). Dictyota crenulata J. Agardh, e). Dictyota Salad

dichotoma (Hudson) Lamouroux, f). Dictyota

divaricata Lamouroux, g). Hydroclathrus clathratus

(Bory) Howe.

a).Padina australis Hauck, b).Padina japonica Vegetable soup, sweetened jellies
9-10
Borgesen
a). Sargassum crassifolium J. Agardh, b). Sargassum
cristaefolium C. Agardh, c). Sargassum echinocarpum
J. Agardh, d). Sargassum hemiphyllum (Turner) C. young thallus for salad and vegetable soup with coconut milk,
11-17
Agardh, e). Sargassum polyphyllum J. Agardh, f). sweetened jellies, material for alginate
Sargassum siliquosum J. Agardh, g). Sargassum
ilicifolium (Turner) C. Agardh
1). Turbinaria conoides (J. Agardh) Kutzing, 2).
21-20 Turbinaria decurens Bory de Saint-Vincent, 3). young thallus for salad and vegetable soup with coconut milk
Turbinaria ornata (Turner) J. Agardh
300 Anggadiredja, J.T., 2009
Table 2. Herbal medicine seaweed of Warambadi seashore, Sumba island
# Name of Species Utilization
Chlorophyceae
Antipyretics, treatments for cough, antiseptic,
1 Chaetomorpha linum (Muller) Kutzing traditional cosmetics (refreshing liquid & skin
powder)
a). Codium arabicum Kutzing,b). Codium
2-3 Vermifuges, treatments for urinary diseases
edule Silva
a). Dictyosphaeria cavernosa (Forsskal)
4-5 Borgesen, b). Dictyosphaeria Versluysii Vermifuges
Weber-van Bosse
Antipyretic and refreshing liquid, treatments for
6 Ulva lactuca Linnaeus
boils, dropsy, urinary diseases, nose-bleeds
Antiseptic, treatments for cough and boils,
7 Valonia aegagropila C. Agardh
refreshing liquid
Rhodophyceae
Treatments for goiter and scrofula and urinary
1 Acanthophora specifera (Vahl) Borgesen
diseases
a). Corallopsis salicornia J. Agardh, b). Treatments for goiter and scrofula, cough and
2-3
Corallopsis urvillae J. Agardh asthma
a). Eucheuma edule J. Agardh, Treatments for goiter and scrofula, cough, asthma,
4-5
b). Eucheuma gelatinae J. Agardh stomach- ailment, haemorrhoids
Treatments for goiter and scrofula, cough, asthma,
6 Eucheuma serra J. Agardh
stomach- ailment and urinary diseases
Treatments for goiter and scrofula, urinary
7 Gracilaria arcuata Zanardini
diseases, and stomach ailment
Treatments for goiter and scrofula, stomach-
8 Gracilaria gigas Harvey
ailment and urinary diseases
Treatments for goiter and scrofula, cough, stomach-
9 Gracilaria coronopifolia J. Agardh
ailment, urinary diseases, haemorrhoids
Antipyretics, antiseptic, vermifuges, traditional
10 Hypnea cervicornis J. Agardh
cosmetics (refreshing liquid)
Hypnea musciformis (Wulfen) Antipyretics, antiseptic, traditional cosmetics
11
Lamouroux (refreshing liquid)
12 Laurencia Obtusa (Hudson) Lamouroux Antiseptic, treatment for stomach ailment
Meristotheca papulosa (Montagne) J.
13 Treatments for goiter and scrofula, haemorrhoids
Agardh
Phaeophyceae
Vermifuges, treatments for goiter and scrofula,
1 Ascophyllum sp. Stackhouse
stomach ailment, laxative
a). Dictyota cervicornis (Kutzing) Sonder,
b). Dictyota ciliolata Kutzing,c). Dictyota
2-5 Treatments for goiter and scrofula
dichotoma (Hudson) Lamouroux, d).
Dictyota divaricata Lamouroux
6 Hydroclathrus clathratus (Bory) Howe Treatments for goiter and scrofula, vermifuges
7 Padina australis Hauck Treatments for goiter and scrofula
# Name of Species Utilization
8 Padina japonica Borgesen Treatments for goiter and scrofula
Antipyretic, refreshing liquid, treatments for urinary
9 Sargassum crassifolium J. Agardh
diseases, goiter and scrofula
10 Sargassum cristaefolium C. Agardh Treatments for goiter and scrofula
Antipyretic, refreshing liquid, treatments for goiter
11 Sargassum echinocarpum J. Agardh
and scrofula
Sargassum hemiphyllum (Turner) C.
12 Treatments for goiter and scrofula, refreshing liquid
Agardh
a). Sargassum polyphyllum J. Agardh, Antipyretic, refreshing liquid, treatments for goiter
13-14
b). Sargassum siliquosum J. Agardh and scrofula
15 Sargassum ilicifolium (Turner) C. Agardh Treatment for goiter and scrofula
Antipyretic, treatments for urinary diseases, goiter
16 Turbinaria conoides (J. Agardh) Kutzing
and scrofula, stomach ailment
Turbinaria decurens Bory de Saint-
17 Treatments for goiter and scrofula, refreshing liquid
Vincent
Antipyretic, treatments for goiter and scrofula,
18 Turbinaria ornata (Turner) J. Agardh
stomach ailment
Ethnobotany Study of Seaweed Diversity...J. Tek. Ling. 10 (3): 297 - 310 301
Familiar Not Familiar
Familiar Not Familiar
TOTAL 50,5% 49,5%
TOTAL 81,1% 18,9% Ethnic Group - Sumba and Sabu 35,2% 64,8%
Ethnic Group - Others 95,8%
Ethnic Group - Sumba and Sabu 100,0%
4,2%
Kampung Warambadi, Desa
Mburukulu, Panguhalodo Sub-district 16,1% 83,9%
Ethnic Group - Others 25,0% 75,0% - Sumba & Sabu
Central of Desa Mburukulu,
Panguhalodo Sub-district - Sumba & 34,8% 65,2%
Kampung Warambadi, Desa Mburukulu, Sabu
100,0%
Panguhalodo Sub-district - Sumba & Sabu
Central of Melolo Sub-district -
Sumba & Sabu 58,3% 41,7%
Central of Desa Mburukulu, Panguhalodo
100,0%
Sub-district - Sumba & Sabu
Central of Melolo Sub-district -
Others 90,0%
Central of Melolo Sub-district - Sumba & 10,0%
100,0%
Sabu Central of Waingapu District - Sumba
& Sabu 100,0%
Central of Melolo Sub-district - Others 44,4% 55,6% Central of Waingapu District -
Others 100,0%
Central of Waingapu District - Sumba & 100,0% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Sabu
Central of Waingapu District - Figure 4. Indigenous knowledge of the local
13,3% 86,7%
Others
peoples on extract of seaweed
0% 20% 40% 60% 80%100%

Yes No
Figure 2. Indigenous knowledge of the TOTAL 33,7% 66,3%
local peoples on seaweed
Ethnic Group - Sumba and Sabu 16,9% 83,1%

As food & medicine Only as food Do not Consume
Ethnic Group - Others 83,3% 16,7%
TOTAL 67,5% 24,7%
7,8%
Kampung Warambadi, Desa Mburukulu,
Ethnic Group - Sumba and Sabu 73,2% 19,7% Panguhalodo Sub-district - Sumba & Sabu 3,2% 96,8%
Ethnic Group - Others 16,7% 83,3% Central Soufb -Ddiesstaric tM - bSuurumkbualu ,& P Saanbguuhalodo 87,0%
13,0%
PKaanmguphuanlogd Wo Saruabm-dbisatdrii,c tD -e Ssau mMbbau ru& kSualub,u 100,0% Central of Melolo Sub-district - Sumba &
Sabu 33,3% 66,7%
Central Souf b -dDiesstrai c tM -b Suurumkubalu ,& P Saanbguuhalodo 17,4%21,7%
Central of Melolo SSaubbu-district - Sumba & 50,0% Central of Melolo Sub-district - Others 77,8% 22,2%
Central of Melolo Sub-district - Others 25,0% 75,0% Central of WaingaSpaub uDistrict - Sumba & 80,0% 20,0%
Central of WaingaSpaub Duistrict - Sumba & 20,0% 60,0% Central of Waingapu District -
Others 86,7%
Central of WOatihnegraspu District - 100,0% 13,3%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% %
Figure 3. The local peoples consumed Figure 5. The local peoples consumed
seaweed the extract of seaweed
302 Anggadiredja, J.T., 2009
Table 3. Comparison of useful seaweed species
Anggadiredja Heyne Tondo Zaneveld Anggadiredja
Name of Species
(Warambadi) (1922) (1926) (1955) (1992)
A B C D E F
Chlorophyceae
Acetabularia mayor X X X
Caulerpa crasa X X
Caulerpa cupressoides X
Caulerpa javanica X X
Caulerpa lentillifera X
Caulerpa microphysa X
Caulerpa peltata X X X X X
Caulerpa racemosa X X X
Caulerpa racemosa v. clavifera X
Caulerpa racemosa v. laetevirens X X X X X
Caulerpa racemosa v. macrophysa X
Caulerpa racemosa v. occidentalis X
Caulerpa racemosa v. plavifera X X
Caulerpa racemosa v. uvifera X X X
Caulerpa serrulata X X X
Caulerpa sertularioides X X X
Caulerpa taxifolia X
Chaetomorpha linum X
Codium arabicum X
Codium edule X
Codium tenue X X
Codium tomentosum X X X X
Dictyosphaeria cavernosa X
Dictyosphaeria versluysii X
Enteromorpha compressa X X
Enteromorpha intestinalis X X
Enteromorpha prolifera X X
Ulva lactuca X X X
Valonia aegagropila X
Rhodophyceae
Acanthophora specifera X X X X X
Bostrychia radicans X X
Caloglosa leprieurii X X
Caloglosa adnata X X
Catenella impudica X X
Catenella nipae X X
Ethnobotany Study of Seaweed Diversity...J. Tek. Ling. 10 (3): 297 - 310 303
Corallopsis minor X
Corallopsis salicornia X X X X X
Corallopsis urvillae X
Eucheuma denticulatum X X X
Eucheuma edule X X X
Eucheuma gelatinae X X X X
Eucheuma horridum X X X
Eucheuma isiforme X
Eucheuma muricatum X X
Eucheuma serra X X X X
Gelidiopsis rigida X X
Gelidium amansii X X
Gelidium rigidum X X
Gelidium latifolium X X
Gracilaria arcuata X X X
Gracilaria blodgettii X X
Gracilaria confervoides X X
Gracilaria crasa X X
Gracilaria coronopifolia X
Gracilaria eucheumoides X X
Gracilaria gigas X X
Gracilaria lichenoides X X X X
Gracilaria taenioides X X X X
Gracilaria verucosa X
Grateloupia filicina X X
Gymnogongrus javanicus X X
Halymenia durvilliae X X
Hypnea cenomyce X X X
Hypnea cervicornis X X X X X
Hypnea divaricata X X
Hypnea musciformis X X X
Kappaphycus alvarezii X X
Kappaphycus striatum X
Laurencia obtusa X X X
Mastocarpus klenzeanus X
Meristotheca papulosa X
Porphyra atropurpurae X X
Rhodymenia palmata X X
Sarcodia montagneana X X X X
Phaeophyceae
Ascophyllum sp. X
Chnoospora pacifica X
304 Anggadiredja, J.T., 2009
Dictyota apiculata X X
Dictyota bartayresii X
Dictyota cervicornis X
Dictyota ciliolata X
Dictyota crenulata X
Dictyota dichotoma X
Dictyota divaricata X
Hydroclathrus clathratus X X X
Padina australis X X X
Padina japonica X
Sargassum aquifolium X X X
Sargassum crassifolium X
Sargassum cristaefolium X
Sargassum echinocarpum X
Sargassum granuliferum X
Sargassum hemiphyllum X
Sargassum ilicifolium X
Sargassum polycystum X X X
Sargassum polyphyllum X
Sargassum siliquosum X X X
Sargassum sp. X
Turbinaria conoides X X X X
Turbinaria decurens X
Turbinaria ornata X X X X
Turbinaria sp. X
4. DISCUSSION
red algae and 15 species of brown algae.
During the 1899-1900 Siboga This table also describes the dependency
Expedition, approximately 782 species of respondents to the proximity of related
of Indonesian seaweed were collected species that grew nearby. It was also unveiled
and identified. Sixty-one species have that the availability of several species such
been utilized traditionally by Indonesians, as Caulerpa, Sargassum, Eucheuma and
particularly by the people living along Dictyota in Warambadi has made them the
the coastal areas, either or both as food favorite use for food. Similar case was found in
supplement or herbal medicine 7-15). East Java in which the abundance of species
Table 3 describes the comparison of of Gracilaria, Gelidium and Gelidiopsis have
seaweed species used as food and herbal also brought them to become the favorite
medicine found during the present study uses for food in sweetened jellies form.
was in accordance to those of Heyne, Tondo, Moreover, the tendency of using seaweed
Zaneveld and Anggadiredja. This particular among local people also depended upon
table shows those 32 species of 55 species of ethnic food habit in terms of traditional food.
useful seaweed which growing on Warambadi In Kampung Warambadi, for example, the
seashore is new recorded if compared favorite food was lawar (pickle) and many
to others studies. These are consisted of seaweed species were traditionally suitable
12 species of green algae, 5 species of to make lawar. On the contrary, among the
Ethnobotany Study of Seaweed Diversity...J. Tek. Ling. 10 (3): 297 - 310 305
habits of the communities living in the coastal Warambadi traditionally consumed seaweed
area of Lombok Island, many species of as both food and medicine. In central of Desa
seaweed were eaten as salad after plunged Mburukulu, 78.3% consumed seaweed as
into boiling water and mixed with shredded food and herbal medicine including 17.4%
coconut and sauce of allspice, and they were consumed only as food. In central of Melolo
called urap. sub-district, 50% of Sumba and Sabu ethnic
4.1. Indigenous knowledge on consumed seaweed as both food and herbal
seaweed medicine, and in central of Waingapu district,
only 40% consumed seaweed as food and
The amalgam of Sumba and Sabu
herbal medicine including 20% consumed
ethnic groups for more than five generation
it as food only. These figures showed that
has made it difficult to distinguish their physical
the closer the proximity to the central town,
appearance, particularly among the societies
indigenous knowledge on seaweed of
along the coastal areas. Therefore, for the
particular ethnic groups including the use
purpose of the study the Sumba and Sabu
of the knowledge itself was decreasing.
ethnic were considered as one ethnic group.
By contrast the knowledge on seaweed
All of the Sumba and Sabu ethnic
product such as agar and its use was fading
(100%) were familiar with seaweed, and
away as the distance from the central town
80.3% of Sumba and Sabu ethnic groups
increased. Information and education level,
consumed seaweed traditionally, both as
which influenced economic and socio-
food and/or herbal medicine. From them only
culture condition, which further affected the
35.2% were familiar with agar and only 16.9%
consumption pattern of food and medicine,
consumed its compound. The proportion of
may cause this particular phenomenon.
other ethnic groups (the Javanese, Lomboks,
4.2. Edible seaweed
Sumbawas, Minangs and Chinese) was
25.3% from total respondent, and 25.0% of The favorite use of seaweed was lawar
them were familiar with seaweed including (pickle). Lawar was prepared by washing the
16.7% of them who consumed seaweed as seaweed stems first, and then cut them up
food only. This study also recorded that 95.8% into fragments for species with big thallus
of other ethnic groups were familiar with agar. and they were mixed with vinegar and sauce
From this percentage 83.33% consumed its of all¬spice or soya-bean sauce. Seaweed
compound. These data also indicated that species that were prepared for pickle were
although Sumba and Sabu ethnic possess Caulerpa, Codium, Dictyosphaeria, Ulva
indigenous knowledge on seaweed, not and Valonia of green algae; Acanthophora,
all of them consumed it. They knew about Corallopsis, Eucheuma, Gracilaria, Hypnea
seaweed, how and for what purposes they and Kappaphycus of red algae; Dictyota and
were used for, but only few of them were Hydroclathrus of brown algae.
familiar with agar as seaweed product. On Caulerpa, Codium, Dictyosphaeria,
the contrary, only few of other ethnic groups Ulva and Valonia of green algae;
possess indigenous knowledge on seaweed. Acanthophora, Corallopsis, Gracilaria,
Instead, they were quite familiar with agar. Hypnea, Kappaphycus and Laurencia of
Relationship on indigenous knowledge red algae; Dictyota, Hydroclathrus, Padina,
on seaweed according to ethnicity and the Sargassum and Turbinaria of brown algae
study localities was shown in Figure 2 and were eaten raw as salad after plunged
3. This figure showed that all of Sumba and into boiling water for a few minutes. Those
Sabu ethnic living in all of four study sites seaweed species were used for vegetable
knew about seaweed (100%), although they soup by cooking with or without coconut milk
did not all consume seaweed. All (100%) of or oil and sauce of allspice were the favorite
Sumba and Sabu ethnic living in Kampung for particular ethnic groups.
306 Anggadiredja, J.T., 2009