Algas marinas de Baja California Sur, México: valor nutrimental / Marine algae of Baja California Sur, Mexico: nutritional value

RESUMO

The Baja California Peninsula is one of the richest regions of seaweed resources in México. The objective of this study was to determine the chemical composition of some marine algae species of Baja California Sur, with an economical potential due to their abundance and distribution, and to promote their use as food for human consumption and animal feeding. The algae studied were Green (Ulva spp., Enteromorpha intestinalis, Caulerpa sertularoides, Bryopsis hypnoides), Red (Laurencia johnstonii, Spyridia filamentosa, Hypnea valentiae) and Brown (Sargassum herporizum, S. sinicola, Padina durvillaei, Hydroclathrus clathrathus, Colpomenia sinuosa). The algae were dried and ground before analysis. In general, the results showed that algae had a protein level less than 11 per cent, except L. johnstonii with 18 per cent and low energy content. The ether extract content was lower than 1 per cent. However, the algae were a good source of carbohydrates and inorganic matter.