Evaluation of Basic Nutritional Parameters of Seaweeds in Coastal Tamilnadu

摘要

Tamil Nadu has a geographical extent of 1,30,058 sqm. It can be divided into two division namely the eastern coastal plains and hills of north and east, which is endowed with the varied coastal habitat like mangroves, corals, seaweeds, sea grass beds,salt marshes, mud flats, sand dunes etc. The coast of Tamil Nadu bears luxuriant growth of seaweeds. More than two hundred species of seaweeds have been found in this area. Indian seaweed industries depend on this coastline for raw materials for the production of agar and sodium alginate. The species of red algae namely, Gellidiella, Oracilaria, Gracilaria etc., species of brown algae namely, Sargassum and Turbinaria are harvested for agar production. Seaweeds are rich in minerals, vitamins, trace elements and bioactive elements. Seaweeds are consumed in various parts of the world including japan, China and Korea where commercial cultivation of seaweeds prevails. In these countries seaweed forms a major constituent of their dailt diet. They are consumed in the form of soups as well as salads. The intake of seaweeds in the diet is said to prevent hair loss in men and women. It is also consumed by pregnant and lactating mothers because of their rich in iron content. They are called the medical food ofthe 21st century. The main aim of this study is to evaluate the various nutritional parameters of seaweeds present in the TamilNadu coastline. The samples were collected from kanyakumari, Pulicat, kovalam, Ennore and Kalpakkam by random sampling method.The basic nutritional parameters, proteins and carbohydrates were estimated by Bradford and Anthrone method respectively. The protein content was highest in Sargassum (1 mg/g). The other seaweeds such as Gracilaria, Calagossa, Ulva, Padina, Chaetomorphaand Hypnea contained protein in the range of 0.8mg/g to 0.5 mg/g. The protein content was lowest in Amphiroa (0.1 mg/g). the other seaweeds such as Centroceras, Enteromorpha and Valenopsa contained protein in the range of 0.4 mg/g to 0.2 mg/g. Similarlythe carbohydrate content was highest in Gracilaria (100 mg/g) and lowest in Halimeda (21 mg/g). the other seaweeds like Ulva, Enteromorpha, Amphiroa, valenopsa, Centroceras contained carbohydrate in the range of 25 mg/g to 40 mg/g. Carbohydrate content was significantly more when compared to protein content in seaweeds.