What is Mako Good For? Exploring the Diverse Uses of a Multifaceted Term

November 20, 2025 •

4 min read

The term mako can refer to several distinct and unrelated things, from a fearsome ocean predator to a high-tech surgical system, according to recent information. Understanding the context is key, as each 'mako' serves a completely different purpose, offering benefits in fields as varied as medicine, technology, and gastronomy.

Quick Summary

This article details the various applications of the term 'mako,' covering its use in relation to the mako shark, MAKO robotic surgery, the herb makoy, and a Google performance testing tool.

Key Points

Mako Shark: Prized for its dense, meaty flesh, mako shark meat is a high-protein, low-fat seafood, but its consumption is mired in conservation concerns.
MAKO Robotic Surgery: This robotic arm-assisted surgical system enhances precision in hip and knee replacements, leading to personalized plans and faster patient recovery.
Makoy Herb (Black Nightshade): Used in traditional medicine, this herb has anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties that aid in treating internal inflammation and liver conditions.
Mako Performance Testing: A Google-developed set of tools used by software engineers to conduct pre-production performance testing and analysis.
Leather, Fins, and Ornaments: Beyond its meat, the mako shark's skin, fins, and teeth have historical uses, though some practices are now controversial due to conservation issues.
Context is Key: Due to multiple applications, the meaning of 'mako' is entirely dependent on its context, whether culinary, medical, technological, or herbal.

The Mako Shark: Culinary and Cultural Value

For many, the first thought of mako is the powerful, fast-swimming shark. The shortfin mako is a highly prized game fish and is sought after for both sport and commercial fishing. Its high-quality meat is a significant part of its value, but conservation concerns are paramount, particularly for the overfished North Atlantic population.

Mako Shark Meat

Versatile and Meaty: Mako shark meat is considered one of the best-tasting shark species, with a dense, meaty texture often compared to swordfish. It is moist, slightly sweet, and firm when cooked.
Lean Protein: It is a low-fat source of protein, along with niacin, vitamins B6 and B12, phosphorus, and selenium.
Preparation: The meat can be grilled, broiled, baked, fried, or used in kebabs and tacos. It is crucial to bleed and ice the shark immediately after catching it to prevent an ammonia taste.

Other Mako Shark Products

Fins: Historically used in shark fin soup. However, this practice is highly controversial and contributes to severe population decline.
Liver Oil: A source of vitamin A, traditionally extracted and used.
Leather: The skin can be turned into a unique and durable leather.
Jaws and Teeth: Often used to create jewelry, art, and ornaments.

MAKO SmartRobotics: Precision in Orthopaedic Surgery

In the medical field, MAKO is synonymous with a state-of-the-art robotic system for joint replacement surgery. Developed by Stryker, the MAKO SmartRobotics system assists surgeons in performing total and partial knee and hip replacements with enhanced accuracy.

Benefits of MAKO Robotic Surgery

Enhanced Precision: Surgeons use a 3D CT scan to create a personalized surgical plan, and the robotic arm provides unparalleled accuracy during the procedure. This helps preserve healthy bone and tissue.
Customized Planning: The pre-operative planning allows for precise component size, placement, and alignment based on the patient's unique anatomy.
Improved Outcomes: Patients often report less pain, faster recovery times, and better overall outcomes compared to traditional surgery.
Tactile Guidance: The system's Accustop technology creates a virtual boundary, providing tactile resistance to guide the surgeon and ensure they stay within the plan.

The Herb Makoy (Black Nightshade): Traditional Medicine

In Unani and other traditional medicine systems, the herb Solanum nigrum, known as makoy or black nightshade, has been used for centuries. Its uses are primarily therapeutic, leveraging its anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties.

Applications of Makoy Herb

Anti-inflammatory: Makoy is effective for reducing inflammation of the liver, stomach, spleen, and intestines.
Hepatoprotective: Used to support liver health, treat conditions like jaundice, and aid in detoxification.
Diuretic: Its diuretic properties help with fluid retention (dropsy) and regulate urine discharge.
Other Uses: Traditionally used to manage skin conditions, alleviate digestive issues like cramps and spasms, and soothe internal heat.

Comparison of Different 'Mako' Applications


Attribute	Mako Shark	MAKO SmartRobotics	Makoy Herb (Black Nightshade)
Primary Purpose	Culinary delicacy, game fishing, by-products (leather, etc.)	Surgical precision and customized joint replacement	Therapeutic and medicinal uses for internal inflammation
Main Industry	Fishing and seafood	Healthcare and orthopaedics	Traditional and herbal medicine
Key Benefit	High-quality, meaty protein source	Enhanced accuracy, faster recovery, and personalized results	Anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and diuretic effects
Key Concern	Overfishing, conservation status, high mercury levels	Cost, suitability for all patients, operational time	Toxicity (berries can be poisonous if unripe), potential side effects

Google's Mako: A Performance Testing Library

Beyond these more widely known applications, Google developed a testing library called Mako. This is a set of tools used for pre-production performance testing in software development.

Mako's Technical Functions

Performance Monitoring: It provides tools for data storage, charting, and statistical aggregation to monitor and analyze software performance.
Regression Analysis: Mako helps in identifying and triaging potential performance regressions in a client project's code.
Development Support: It offers client libraries for integration into performance tests, a public dashboard for viewing results, and a command-line tool for programmatic access.
Efficiency: The Mako template engine, an associated tool, compiles templates into Python bytecode, making it highly efficient for software development.

Conclusion

While the term "mako" can be confusing due to its diverse meanings, the context typically makes the intended reference clear. From the highly sought-after but endangered mako shark to the advanced technology of MAKO robotic surgery and the traditional healing properties of the makoy herb, the applications are vastly different. In a technical context, it may even refer to a Google performance testing tool. Each iteration of "mako" serves a unique purpose, showcasing the rich and varied vocabulary across different fields. Understanding these distinctions allows for a more accurate appreciation of what each respective mako is good for, whether in the kitchen, the operating room, or a software development environment.

Learn More

For additional information regarding the Atlantic shortfin mako shark's conservation status, visit the official NOAA Fisheries page detailing regulations and management measures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, mako shark is generally considered excellent for eating. Its flesh is dense, moist, and meaty, with a mild flavor often compared to swordfish. However, it must be properly prepared by bleeding and icing immediately after being caught to prevent an ammonia-like taste.

Mako shark meat is a good source of lean protein and essential nutrients such as niacin, vitamins B6 and B12, phosphorus, and selenium. However, like many large predators, it can accumulate high levels of mercury, a health risk that should be considered.

MAKO robotic-assisted surgery offers several advantages, including enhanced precision based on personalized 3D planning, potentially less trauma to surrounding tissues, smaller incisions, and faster recovery times for many patients. However, the choice depends on individual patient needs and the surgeon's recommendation.

The herb makoy (Solanum nigrum) has a long history of use in traditional medicine for its therapeutic properties. However, unripe berries can be poisonous due to high alkaloid content. It is important to use it only under the guidance of a qualified practitioner.

Mako sharks are a conservation concern primarily due to overfishing, both as a targeted species for its meat and fins, and as bycatch in other fisheries. International and national regulations have been implemented, such as the U.S. ban on retaining Atlantic shortfin mako sharks, to help populations recover.

The Mako performance testing library is used in software development for pre-production testing of large-scale systems. It provides tools for data analysis, charting, and detecting performance regressions, helping to ensure the reliability and efficiency of software.

Before cooking, it is crucial to remove any dark red "bloodlines" to prevent a bitter taste. It can be marinated, grilled like a steak, or baked. Given its lean, firm texture, wrapping it in foil or covering it during baking can help retain moisture.