Chemical Composition of Common Seaweeds from the Kenya Coast

Abstract

The gross nutritional profile of 34 seaweed species from three sites (Mkomani, Kibuyuni and Mtwapa) in coastal Kenya were studied. The crude fat, crude protein, crude fibre and crude ash were determined by the standard AOAC methods while the nitrogen-free extract (NFE) was calculated by weight difference of the chemical components. The chemical constituents of the seaweeds varied significantly among the algal divisions, species, months and sites (<em>p</em><0.05). The major chemical components was the NFE with a mean value of 42.09 ± 0.83% dry weight (DW) followed by crude ash (31.94 ± 0.78% DW), crude fibre (14.08 ± 0.26% DW), crude protein (10.09 ± 0.26% DW), whereas the least component was crude fat with a mean value of 1.81 ± 0.04% DW (<em>p</em><0.05). The crude protein levels were positively correlated with nitrogen content and in crude fibre and negatively with NFE, crude fat and crude ash (<em>p</em><0.05). The findings on the gross nutritional profile of the seaweeds in this study could be used as a basis for more advanced research on nutritional information guideline and as potential resources for seaweed-based products for improved human and animal nutrition.

Chemical Composition and Functional Properties of Selected Seaweeds from the Kenya Coast

“…The results indicated that seaweed varieties of Hypnea musciformis and Sargassum oligocystum had the highest levels of NFE at 73.07 and 71.42 % respectively. The NFE values for Hypnea musciformis were considerably higher than those reported by Siddique, (2013) and Mwalugha et al, (2015), who obtained 20.60% and 43.76% respectively. In addition, the NFE values for Sargassum oligocystum was higher than 53.21% reported by Azad and Xiang, (2012) and 30.30% reported by Kumar et al,(2011).…”

“…Eucheuma denticulatum and Laurencia intermedia had the highest ash content which differed with (36.21%) and (30.32%) obtained by Mwalugha et al, (2015). Similarly, the ash content of Hypnea musciformis differed with (21.57%) reported by Siddique, (2013) and (20.77%) reported by Mwalugha et al, (2015). In this study the ash content of Sargassum oligocystum was considerably lower than 24.88% reported by Azad and Xiang, (2012) and (42.40%) in Sargassum polycystum obtained by Matanjun et al, (2009).…”

“…The other species recorded the lowest amount of crude fat which was close to 0.48% obtained by Azad & Xiang, (2012). Eucheuma denticulatum and Laurencia intermedia had the highest ash content which differed with (36.21%) and (30.32%) obtained by Mwalugha et al, (2015). Similarly, the ash content of Hypnea musciformis differed with (21.57%) reported by Siddique, (2013) and (20.77%) reported by Mwalugha et al, (2015).…”

“…Notwithstanding, the growing knowledge on the nutritional benefits of seaweeds has led to a focus on the utilization of seaweeds as sources of proteins in the previously low consumption regions (Fleurence, 1999). Recently, Mwalugha et al, (2015) attempted to characterize the seaweed varieties available on the Kenya coast in terms of their proximate composition. However, far too little attention has been paid to the nutritional composition of this seafood.…”

Antioxidant Activities of Various Brown Seaweeds from Seribu Islands

“…Kadar abu P. tetrastromatica 41,24% (Mwalugha et al 2015) dan T.decurrens 15,64% (Sari 2015). Kadar abu yang tinggi pada rumput laut dapat dipengaruhi oleh adanya garam dan mineral lain yang menempel misalnya Na, Ca, K dan Mg (Yuniarti et al 2013;Yulius et al 2016), semakin banyak kandungan mineral, maka kadar abu semakin tinggi (Nasruddin et al 2016).…”