Phytochemical study of the red alga: jania rubens [L] lamx lipids vitamins, minerals, trace elements and halides

ABSTRACT

Gas liquid chromatography [GLC] analysis of the unsaponifiable portion prepared from Jania rubens [L.] Lamx. resulted in the identification of 11 components. N-Triacontane represented the major component [63.17%] followed by n-octacosane [32.01%]. TLC analysis of the sterols prepared as acetates resulted in the identification of campesterol and cholesterol. GLC analysis of the fatty acid methyl esters revealed the presence of 13 compounds; 10 of them were identified. Methyl arachidonate represented the major component [41.6%] followed by methyl oleate [12.8%] and methyl heptadecanoate [12.2%]. Ascorbic acid content of the alga was determined and it was found to contain 19 mg% w/w of the dry material. Also, vitamin B1 was determined fluorimetrically and its content was 0.5 mg% w/w of the dry material. The ash prepared from the thalli of Jania rubens [L.] Lamx. was analyzed for its minerals, trace elements and halide contents. This showed that the thalli were rich in calcium [6.67%], magnesium [2.41%], sodium [1.41%], iron [0.66%] and potassium [0.41%]. Also, the thalli contained chloride [4.22-5.14%], iodide [2.20-2.62%] and bromide [1.01-1.06%]