Ommee Benjama and Payap Masniyom

pp. 223 - 230

Abstract

The proximate composition, dietary fiber, element and amino acid contents, as well as some physicochemical properties
of the two red seaweeds (Gracilaria fisheri and G. tenuistipitata) collected from the Pattani Bay in Southern Thailand in the
rainy and summer seasons of 2006 were determined in order to evaluate their potential nutritional value. The protein content of
G. tenuistipitata (21.6% DW) was significantly higher than that of G. fisheri (11.6% DW) (P<0.05). The two seaweed species
contained lipid (1.7–3.6% DW), ash (7.9–22.9% DW), total dietary fiber (TDF) (57.5–64.0% DW), soluble dietary fiber (SDF)
(15.6–18.8%DW) and insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) (38.9–45.2% DW). G. tenuistipitata collected in the rainy season had
higher level of lipid (P<0.05) whereas the level of ash was higher in the summer. In contrast, G. fisheri had higher levels of
lipid, ash and TDF (P<0.05) when collected in rainy season. There was no significant differences in SDF, ISF and TDF between
the two seaweeds. The result indicated that the two species contained high levels of K and Cl. The essential amino acids
with the highest content in the two species were arginine, leucine and threonine. The swelling capacity (SWC), water holding
capacity (WHC) and oil holding capacity (OHC) ranged from 5.2 to 12.5 ml/g DW, 5.5 to 10.1 g/g DW and 1.8 to 2.3 g oil/g
DW, respectively, with the SWC, WHC and OHC of G. tenuistipitata being higher than those of G. fisheri. This study
suggested that both Gracilaria species could potentially be used as raw material or ingredients to improve nutritive value
and functional propertiesin human diet and animal feed.