Nutritional value and health quotient of algae collected from Egyptian coast, Alexandria

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Abstract

Algal species have considerable benefits to human, because of their great nutritional value. Thus, the nutrient content (essential minerals and trace elements) and the biochemical composition (proximate content) of macroalgae (green, brown and red algae) were investigated. The results indicated the existance of high concentrations of the essential minerals as Na, K, Ca and Mg. Brown algae gave high Na and K values followed by red and green algae. While, Ca and Mg were distributed in high concentrations in red algae followed by brown and green algae. On the other hand, the essential trace elements (Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn) followed as Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu. Proximate content of algae (carbohydrates and proteins) in the three types of algae recorded as follow, for carbohydrates red algae > green algae > brown algae. Meanwhile, proteins concentration followed as red algae > brown algae > green algae. Finally, ion quotients are between 0.208 and 2.019 for green algae species, between 0 .722 and 2.087 for brown algae and between 0.458 and 2.433 for red algae. The nutrient content of studied stations water was investigated as well. From the concentration values of essential minerals in studied stations water, it was found that, Agamy station has the smallest values of Na (10.560 g/l), K (0.463 g/l), Ca (0.473 g/l) and Mg (1.573 g/l). The essential trace elements in stations water followed as Fe > Cu > Zn > Mn. The highest values of Fe (565.500 ϻg/l), Zn (20.756 ϻg/l) and Mn (4.803 ϻg/l) were recorded at Abu Quir station while, Cu measured the highest value (28.260 ϻg/l) at Agamy station.

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