Monostroma

In taxonomy, Monostroma is a genus of marine green algae (seaweed), specifically of the Monostromataceae. As the name suggests, algae of this genus are monostromatic (single cell layered). Monostroma kuroshiensis, an algae of this genus, is commercially cultivated in East Asia and South America for the edible product "hitoegusa-nori" or "hirohano-hitoegusa nori", popular sushi wraps. Monostroma oligosaccharides with degree of polymerization 6 prepared by agarase digestion from Monostroma nitidum polysaccharides have been shown to be an effective prophylactic agent during in vitro and in vivo tests against Japanese encephalitis viral infection. The sulfated oligosaccharides from Monostroma seem to be promising candidates for further development as antiviral agents. The Monostroma genus is the most widely cultivated genus among green seaweeds.