Chemical compositions of the marine algae Gracilaria salicornia (Rhodophyta) and Ulva lactuca (Chlorophyta) as a potential food source

BACKGROUND: The nutritional compositions of two edible red (Gracilaria salicornia) and green (Ulva lactuca) seaweeds were determined to evaluate their possible uses as potential food ingredients. RESULTS: In general, these species contained limited amounts of lipids ranging between 0.99 and 2.00 g 100 g-1 dry weight) and considerably high amount of minerals, especially in G. salicornia (38.91 g 100 g-1 d.w.). The crude protein values varied between 9.58 and 10.69 g 100 g-1 d.w. Amounts for total amino acids were 889.78 +/- 22.64 mg g-1 protein d.w. in G. salicornia and 543.3 +/- 15.14 mg g-1 protein d.w. in U. lactuca. The most abundant fatty acids were C12:0, C16:0, C20:4 omega 6 and C22:5 omega 3, in addition to C18:1 in G. salicornia. Both seaweed species were balanced sources of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids with a ratio of omega 6/omega 3 that varied between 1.2 and 1.17. Between the seaweeds investigated, high levels of K (2414.02-11 380.06 mg 100 g-1 d.w.) were observed and the amounts of Ca, Na and Fe were higher than those reported for land plants. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, G. salicornia and U. lactuca may be utilised as value-added products for human nutrition purposes. Copyright (c) 2012 Society of Chemical Industry