Assessment of Biochemical Constituents and Nutritional Aspects in Gracilariopsis persica and Hypnea flagelliformis

ABSTRACT

In the present study, we assessed the nutritional composition and biochemical constituents of two Rhodophyta, Gracilariopsis persica and Hypnea flagelliformis, for their potential use as functional foods. Both species were collected from the intertidal regions of Bandar Abbas, Iran. The nutritional profile for H. flagelliformis consisted of ash (36% dw), crude protein (3% dw), lipids (2.1% dw), and phycobiliproteins (0.2% dw.). G. persica consisted of ash (31% dry weight), crude protein (4.4% dw), lipids (1.4% dw), and phycobiliproteins (0.2% dw). Leucine and phenylalanine were the most abundant amino acids in the assessed species. The samples were rich in essential amino acids (EAAs) and the obtained ratios of EAA/NEAA (non-essential amino acid) were 1.3. Palmitic acid was the predominant fatty acid in both species. The highest concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids were arachidonic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid. Recommended guidelines indicate an intake of omega-3 for each person that can be fully obtained by daily consumption of 130 g of dried G. persica or 100 g of dried H. flagelliformis. In conclusion, these two red seaweeds have good potential as nutritional sources for human and animal consumption.

KEYWORDS:

• Fatty acids
• amino acids
• natural compounds
• phycobiliprotein
• Persian Gulf

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the University of Hormozgan; [96/200/163].