A comparison of nutritional values of Kappaphycus alvarezii, Kappaphycus striatum, and Kappaphycus spinosum from the farming sites in Gorontalo Province, Sulawesi, Indonesia

Kappaphycus is a red alga which contains carrageenan. Kappaphycus alvarezii is the most popular seaweed known as cottoni in addition to several other species, such as K. spinosum (spinosum) and K. striatum (sacol). These three species of Kappaphycus were collected from farming sites of Kappaphycus in Popayato, Pohuwato district, Province of Gorontalo, Sulawesi, Indonesia. The nutritional values of these three Kappaphycus were assessed based on the analysis on their chemical composition, including ash, lipid, crude fiber, protein, carbohydrate, vitamin C, gel strength, and mineral contents including Ca, Na, and Fe, as well as fatty acids. There were no significant differences in the nutritional values of K. alvarezii, K. striatum, and K. spinosum from farming sites of Gorontalo Province, Sulawesi. However, K. alvarezii had the highest value of carbohydrate, protein, vitamin C, and gel strength, whereas K. spinosum had the highest contents of Ca, Na, and omega-6 fatty acids. Additionally, K. striatum had the highest moisture, crude fiber, Fe, and omega-3 fatty acid. It is suggested that each Kappaphycus is a potential source of important nutrition for human and animal health.