Ques.6. Discuss the economic importance of Funori
Ans. It is a type of glue obtained from a red alga, Gloiopeltis furcala. In Japan it is called ‘funori.’ It is used as an adhesive as well as a sizing agent for paper and cloth. Chemically, it is similar to agar-agar except that there is no sulphate ester group. Some species of Ahrifelatia, Chondus, Grateloupia and Iridaea are also used for the preparation of funori (Round, 1973).