Objective: Seaweeds are examined in three groups as red, green and brown algae according to their color. They are distributed until the depth where sunlight can reach in the marine environments. They contain many nutritional substances and they are used as food and dietary supplements. The aim of this study is to determine the antioxidant substances, pigments and proximate composition of two seaweed species (C. corniculata, S. acinarum).
Methods: Seaweeds were collected from the northeastern Mediterranean coast of Turkey in spring and summer. Epiphytes and other substances were removed and the samples were successively washed with sea water and distilled water. The seaweed samples were analyzed for proximate composition; lipid content by the Bligh and Dyer method, total crude protein by the Kjeldahl method. The phenolic content of seaweeds was determined by Folin-Ciocalteu method. Total chlorophyll a and carotenoid content of seaweed species were analyzed spectrophotometrically.
Result and Discussion: Seaweeds are commonly used as important part of the diet of coastal communities. In this study, nutritional substances, antioxidant and pigment contents were investigated in two seaweed species (C. corniculata, S. acinarum). Lipid (1.32% wet wt.) and protein (8.23% wet wt.) content of S. acinarum was found to be high compared to those of C.corniculata. In addition, phenolic matter (64.33±3.86 mg/g dry wt.), flavonoids (7.86±0.47 mg/g dry wt), chlorophyll a (0.90 mg/g) and carotenoids (0.57 mg/g) levels of S. acinarum were higher than that of C. corniculata. In both species, lipid levels were higher in summer while protein levels were higher in summer only in C. corniculata. Phenolic contents were higher in summer in two species. On the other hand, chlorophyll a and carotenoid content of two species were found higher in spring. The results indicate that seaweeds contain valuable materials for human nutrition and many industrial purposes. There is a significant potential for algal products industry and it is very likely that this sector will expand in the future
