Minerals, PUFAs and antioxidant properties of some tropical seaweeds from Saurashtra coast of India

Abstract

Twenty-two tropical seaweeds from the Rhodophyta, Phaeophyta and Chlorophyta were examined for their possible use as nutritional supplements. All seaweeds contained balanced Na/K and C/N ratio and high amounts of macroelements (Na, K, Ca, and Mg) as compared to the terrestrial vegetables. Among the microelements, Fe was the highest followed by Zn, Mn, Cu and other trace elements. Fatty acid distribution showed high level of n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and their ratios were within the WHO prescribed limits. The higher ratios of PUFA/SFA (>0.4) are in agreement with the recommendations of nutritional guidelines. Most of the species, especially the Chlorophyta and Phaeophyta, had permissible intake values of unsaturation, atherogenic and thrombogenic indexes comparable to milk-based products. Principal component analysis demonstrated a correlation between total phenolic content, total antioxidant activity, DPPH, and O 2 •− radical scavenging activity, suggesting polyphenols as the chief contributor to the antioxidant activity in seaweeds. These results indicate that these seaweeds could be a potential source of natural antioxidants, minerals and high-quality PUFAs and may be efficiently used as ingredients in functional foods.

Antioxidant potential and cytotoxic activity of two red seaweed species, Amansia multifida and Meristiella echinocarpa, from the coast of Northeastern Brazil

“…Despite the low values observed at 100 µg mL -1 , the extracts of A. multifida and M. echinocarpa displayed greater reduction power than the values reported for extracts of four species of red macroalgae (Gracilaria edulis, Chondrococcus hornemanni, Hypnea pannosa and Jania rubens), four species of brown macroalgae (Turbinaria conoides, Padina gymnospora, Dictyota dichotoma and Sargassum wightii) and one species of green macroalgae (Caulerpa lentillifera) (Devi et al 2008, Nguyen et al 2011), all at the same concentration. In addition, Kumar et al (2011) observed low values (~0.04) for the extracts of three species of red seaweeds (Kappaphycus alvarezii, Gracilaria dura and G. salicornia). Other authors have reported low ferric-reducing power for extracts of green, red and brown seaweeds at low concentrations (Chandini et al 2008.…”

Study on the physical and antioxidant properties of gluten-free bread with brown algae

“…The antioxidant activity is mainly due to the presence of phlorotannins, a major group of phenolic compounds in brown algae (Kumar et al, 2011). However, no works are present that focused on the antioxidant activity of bread supplemented with algae.…”

Saponins and the in vitro bioactivities of different solvent extracts of some tropical green and red seaweeds

“…Omega-6/ω-3 ratio was seen to be < 10 which was within the WHO prescribed standards except in G. corticata, Gracilaria dura, Gracilaria debilis and Gracilaria fergusonii where the values exceeded [43]. The total lipid content varied from about 0.4%-1.8% in Paradoxophyla palmata [1].…”

“…MUFAs content was 18%, 20%, 7%, 17% and 13% respectively and PUFAs content was 44%, 33%, 73%, 39% and 57% respectively [42]. Twenty-two tropical seaweeds collected from the Saurashtra coast, India, showed high level of ω-6 and ω-3 PUFAs with their ratios underlying with the WHO prescription limits [43]. The fatty acid composition was with high palmitic acid (C16:0) content and traces of other SFAs.…”