Nutritional value of selected macroalgae

Abstract

Macroalgae are traditionally used in human and animal nutrition. Their protein and fiber content have been widely studied and differ according to the species, their geographic origin and their seasonal conditions. In addition to their value for human nutrition, seaweeds have multiple therapeutically applications (e.g., weight control, hypocholesterolemic, antioxidant and antitumor activities, others) and, in general, contribute and promote human health. In the archipelago of the Azores, the consumption of seaweeds is widespread and accepted as a common practice in some islands. This work is aimed at providing information on the protein and fiber content of the locally consumed species, to promote this regional food product that can be potentially profitable from the biotechnology and commercial perspective, and also benefit public health, particularly, taking into account the low level of marine pollution in the Azores archipelago. Protein and fiber content of eight seaweeds (Porphyra sp., Osmundea pinnatifida, Pterocladiella capillacea, Sphaerococcus coronopifolius, and Gelidium microdon, Rhodophyta; Cystoseira abies-marina and Fucus spiralis, Phaeophyta; Ulva compressa, Chlorophyta) were determined using the Kjeldahl method and the Weende method, respectively. The protein content ranged from 6.81 to 26.62 of dry weight for C. abies-marina and U. compressa, respectively. Fiber content was generally higher as compared with that in seaweeds from other origins and ranged from 33.82 to 63.88 for O. pinnatifida and F. spiralis, respectively.

Analysis of Proximate Composition and In-Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Selected Green Seweeds from South Andaman Coast of India

“…Parthiban et al, (2013) also recorded high crude lipid content in the green seaweed Enteromorpha intestinalis (5.30%). The range of protein content determined in the present study (8.123 -16.56%) was similar to the findings reported by Rohani-Ghadikolaei et al, (2012); Manivannan et al, (2008); Parthiban et al, (2013); Kasimala, Mebrahtu et al, (2015) but slightly lower when compared to the reports of Murugaiyan and Narasimman (2013); Dere et al, (2003); Patarra et al, (2011). Macroalgae are widely used as a source of dietary fibre.…”

“…7.12% which is very low when compared to the previous studies conducted by Patarra et al, (2011) and Ahmad, Sulaiman et al, (2012) on green macroalgae. The differences found in the present study may be due to the seasonal, spatial and temporal variations (Dawes, 1998 andJimenez-Escrig andCambrondon, 1999) and also due to the difference in the competence of the extraction technique followed (Tuney et al, 2007).…”

Inhibition of MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities by solvent-partitioned Sargassum horneri extracts

“…Some brown algae species already have been reported to possess numerous health beneficial effects (Holdt and Kraan 2011;Matanjun et al 2009;Patarra et al 2011). Low content in harmful lipids and high content in polysaccharides, unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals enable marine algae to be promoted as a nutritious source for healthy diets (Plaza et al 2010).…”

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

“…However, over the past few years table consumption has grown considerably around the world, awareness of the nutritional value of macroalgae has become more widespread. Seaweeds have few calories and are rich in provitamin A, vitamin B, C and E, minerals (calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, sodium, iron and iodine) and dietary fiber (Matanjun et al 2009, Patarra et al 2011, Pires-Cavalcante et al 2011.…”