The aim of this study was to compare the physicochemical characteristics and
antioxidant activities of Pyropia dentata harvested in November
(PD11), Pyropia seriata harvested in December (PS12), and
Pyropia yezoensis harvested in December (PY12), January
(PY01), or March (PY03). Total amino acid content (mg/100 g dry wt.) was high:
PY01 (41,009.52) > PY12 (40,914.26) > PS12 (35,720.29) >
PD11 (33,762.75) > PY03 (32,906.54). The major minerals within the three
laver cultivars were Ca, K, Mg, and Na. PD11 exhibited the highest contents of
shinorine (2,089.84 mg/ 100 g dry wt.) and porphyra-334 (3,127.96 mg/100 g dry
wt.), which are mycosporine-like amino acids. Of the PY samples harvested at
different times, PY03 exhibited the highest contents of shinorine (19.00 mg/100
g dry wt.) and porphyra-334 (438.31 mg/100 g dry wt.). The total phenol content
was higher in PD11 (702.99 mg tannic acid equivalent/100 g) than those in the
other samples. PD11 had the highest
2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid radical-scavenging and
ferric reducing antioxidant activities. The results provide basic information
regarding the physicochemical characteristics and antioxidant activities of
laver cultivars harvested at different times.